Illuminated Quran Page

With round female body and short neck, depicted armless, perforated with two parallel holes at the top for suspension; the edges and the centre embossed with dots. 6.87 grams, 63 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.12319-223722. 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.

These idols have a broad chronological and spatial range, with late variants known from Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age burial contexts in central Europe and Western Asia. Some of these idols have round bodies, and heads in the form of tabs. They developed from the earlier stone idols, leading to the representation of the human form becoming even more stylised when crafted in silver or copper.

Circular openwork seal with cross motif; accompanied by typed and signed note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 44 x 45 x 15 mm. This is round, with flat compartmented and open-work face, and flat back on which a handle of inverted U-shape is mounted. The design consists of a central Greek cross joined to a segmented outer band by a single strut from the middle of the outer arms, and three pairs of struts, two from each arm of the cross, one from the single strut. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. The outer rim is a little dented, but otherwise it is in very good condition and a fine example of its kind.' 22 grams, 45 mm



Ex collection of a late London gentleman, 1990s. Accompanied by an original typed and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993. 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.

Drum-shaped with frieze of advancing ibexes; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.48 grams, 11.24 mm



From the 'S' collection, acquired 1970-1990s. The collection was seen and studied by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993. 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.