Heavy Luristan Bronze Snake-Headed Armlet

With frieze depicting a worshipper and a goddess both facing an enthroned king holding a cup in one hand, sun-disc and crescent above; the king wearing a cap and tiered robe, the throne raised on a dais and covered with a fringed cloth; the worshipper youthful with hands clasped before his chest, wearing a floor-length garment over his shoulder; the goddess wearing a tiered headdress and flounced floor-length robe, with hands raised in salutation; two pairs of smaller figures, one with a toothed weapon; column of cuneiform text reading 'ᵈNin-subur, sukkal an-na' ('Ninshubur, the approved vizier', or 'heavenly vizier'); supplied with a museum-quality impression. 17 grams, 26 mm



From an important London, UK, collection, 1980-1990s. Accompanied by a previous two page illustrated catalogue report. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12249-222296.

A rectangular section with fourteen columns of cuneiform text mentioning the foundation of a temple by Nebuchadnezzar II, translating as 'King of Babylon provisioner of Esagil and Ezida prime son of Nabopolassar, King of Babylon and Ebabbara, the temple of Shamash in Larsa..[...]'; mounted in a custom-made velvet lined display frame. 1.5 kg, 31 x 41.2 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections, mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12340-214698.

The construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the destruction of Jerusalem's temple are ascribed to Nebuchadnezzar II. He is featured in the Book of Daniel and is mentioned in several other books of the Bible.

Steatite or talc with two columns of cuneiform text, un-drilled: -num, son of Ad-da-al(?)-a/za(?); possibly unfinished. 6.06 grams, 30 mm



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector, collection no.083. London collection, 2016.