Holy Land Dipper Cup

A substantial gold bangle with hinged clasp, composed of two conjoined oval-section hoops, gusseted loops to each terminal and closure pin. 65 grams, 85 mm wide



Acquired 1990s. London Mayfair gallery, UK. Ex Dutch collection, 2000s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11645-199207.

A roughly rectangular clay tablet bearing dense rows of cuneiform text to both principal faces and to each of the four side edges; a letter from Karariya to Ṭaridum, probably a servant of Iluni, Karariya serves a foreign ruler (as indicated by the mention of the deity Hitti) who has just ascended the throne; he is of the same rank as Taridum, who considers him his brother: 'May Šamaš and Hitti preserve my brother alive forever!'; they deal with matters they have in common, a lawsuit to be tried by Karariya, and exchanges of goods between their two houses: 'There are no more wicks (?) for the lamps in my house (...). The wine from my stock is spent and we could not load the donkeys (with wine) for you'; repaired. 110 grams, 82 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.

A mixed group of seven gold hoop earrings comprising: an example composed of a coiled wire and bead bezel; one with hollow-formed capsule-shaped bulb decorated with a medial twisted wire collar; a crescentic hoop with granulated pyramids to the lower edge and one loop; hollow-formed crescentic earring with coiled collars; a flat-section crescent with hook-and-eye closure; a hollow-formed crescent-shaped earring with expanded central section and remains of hinge closure; hoop with single granulations to lower body, triangular plaque below, dangle comprising gold granulated beads and pearl and facetted blue bead, possibly of stone; including fragmentary examples. 6.69 grams total, 10-27 mm

Fine condition.

Acquired 1970-2010. Collection of a late Japanese gentleman.