Large Azerbaijan Hasanlu Tepe Pottery Vessel

Biconical in profile with narrow base, broad shoulder and everted flared rim; painted concentric herringbone band to the shoulder and swags beneath. 712 grams, 18 cm wide



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12258-222363.

A medieval period flat-section rectangular plaque pierced at the broad end with incised calligraphic legend: 'Zahra the splendid or the radiant governor of Esphahan ...', Zaraa or Zahra is a female name which also refers to boundless beauty (ذرع اصفهانی واسع الخلیفه با ما معمور). 10.6 grams, 51 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

With standing and kneeling figures; 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: 'Description of Cylinder Seal of Hematite, 17 x 8.5 mm. Between bands of guilloche above and below, each within rules, is kneeling deity, human below the shoulders, wings for arms, bird's head and long hair falling to the waist at the back; in front a human in a long robe holding crook and a row of four walking humans in short kilts; four small fillers. Syrian, c.1800-1600 B.C. Condition: fine.'; accompanied by a museum quality impression and a pair of red stone beads. 2.93 grams, 17 mm



Private collection, London, UK. 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.