Indus Valley Terracotta Vessel with Birds and Geometric Designs

Zoomorphic seal with V-shaped handle to the reverse; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stam Seal of Bronze 45.5x38x19 mm. This has the shape of the items depicted, with flat face and flat back with handle of inverted V-shape mounted on it. The design is compartmented but not open-work and is divided into two compartments, one with three projections, the other with two. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. The ends of the projections have slight denting, but otherwise the object is in very good condition. Interpretation of the design is difficult, but each section appears to have one head of an eagle and one set of an eagle's tail feathers, as if two eagles are crossed, but there is still a difficulty with the third head. The design is extremely rare.' 20 grams, 45 mm



Ex Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection number R-495, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s.

Drum-shaped in profile with basal ring, band of interlocking T-shaped and other painted cells; rim chipped. 117 grams, 95 mm



Joseph G Gerena Fine Art, New York, 27 October 2003. Acquired by the present owner from the above.

Each a zebu with hump to the shoulders and dewlap beneath the neck. 313 grams total, 78-88 mm



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.