Hittite Ceramic Idol Head

Of unusual double pelta type, symbolising a female human body, embossed dots to the perimeter and two holes to the centre. 17.88 grams, 64 mm



From a private family collection formed since the early 19th century, thence by descent. Property of a New Zealand legal professional. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12318-223718. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

With figures and fire altar, restrung pair of red stone beads, old handwritten label '1649'; accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Fawn Fossil Shell, 35 x 20.5 mm. On the right sits a snake god: human body above the waist, curling snake below, with one hand extended. Facing him stands a god in long robe with bottom fringe, also extending one hand. Between them is a fire altar. Behind each god is a sideboard for holding food and drink ready to consume. There is a lunar crescent in the sky. This is an Akkadian seal from Mesopotamia or Western Iran, c. 2300-2200 B.C. The snake god is not yet identified from texts, but is a fascinating item of Akkadian mythology.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 30 grams, 35 mm



Armand Trampitsch, Glyptique Archéologie, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 13-14 May 1992, no.23 [Part]. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in 1992. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Pillow-shaped fragment with cuneiform text to both broad faces. 35.3 grams, 42 mm



Specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1992. Thence by descent to family members. Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This small collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.