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LOT 0255
Large Bactrian Black Chlorite 'Hand Bag' Ceremonial Weight
3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.
10 3/8 in. (3.81 kg, 26.2 cm).
D-shaped in profile with a round-section loop and incuse sockets to accept inlay in contrasting colours (mostly absent); obverse with a reserved scene of two opposed human-headed scorpions with ribbed detailing advancing below two smaller scorpions placed perpendicular to them; reverse with a median eagle with wings extended and feather detailing, flanked by rearing serpents and other animals.
ProvenanceAcquired before 1983.
Ex London gallery, 1990s.
Private collection, London, UK.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13285-253383.
Cf. Various, 7000 Years of Iranian Art, Exhibition catalogue, Smithsonian Institute, 1964, p.54 & p.118, illustration no.11.
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LOT 0255
Large Bactrian Black Chlorite 'Hand Bag' Ceremonial Weight
Estimate £15,000 - 20,000€17,400 - 23,200 (for guidance only)$20,250 - 27,000 (for guidance only)
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Sasanian Bronze Bowl
3rd-7th century A.D.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £83
Broad and squat with flared sidewall and rounded edge to the mouth, concentric rings to inner centre. 241 grams, 17.5 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s. -
Western Asiatic Glass and Stone Bead Necklace String
1st millennium B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £39
Composed of mixed beads, including a drop-shaped pendant, restrung. 27.9 grams, 33 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. -
Royal Elamite Cuneiform Brick for King Shihak-Insusinak I
1150-1120 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,420
A fired clay brick with seven lines of cuneiform text referring to King Shihak-Insusinak I; accompanied by a scholarly note by Dr Manuel Ceccarelli, PhD earned at the University of Tübingen, Germany, which states: 'Brick with Elamite cuneiform inscription of Shilhak-lnshushinak, king of Elam (South-West Iran), ca. 1150-1120 BCE. This royal inscription celebrates the restoration of the temple of the goddess Kirisha. The inscription can be reconstructed thanks to similar bricks.'I, Shilhak-lnshushinak, son of Shutruk-Nahhunte, beloved servant of Kiririsha and Inshushinak, King of Anzan and Susa: Humbanumena built the temple of Kiririsha-of-Liyan with unbacked mudbricks, and, as it threatened ruin, I restored it to its original state: with backed bricks, I (re)built it, and for my life, for the life of Nahhunte-Utu, of Hutelutush-lnshushinak, of Shilhina-hamru-Lakamar, of Kutir-Huban, of lshnikarab-huhun, of Urutuk -EI-halahu and of Utu-ehihi-Pinigir, with this intention,for our sake(?), I gave it to Kiririsha, my goddess.''; mounted on a custom-made stand. 2.96 kg total, 34.5 cm wide including stand
Private UK collection. with Bonhams, London, 22 September 1998, no.140. Private collection, UK. Acquired on the UK art market. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages and Dr Manuel Ceccarelli's notes. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.13233-250320.
The name of this king, like that of many kings of Elam, was linked to a deity. Inshushinak was one of the major gods of the Elamites and the protector of the city of Susa in the state of Elam. He played an important role as a deity associated with royal power in the official ideology of many Elamite dynasties. King Atta-Hushu of the Sukkalmah dynasty called himself 'the shepherd of the god Inshushinak’. Many rulers dedicated new building projects to Inshushinak, using the formula 'or his (i.e., the king's) life.' The Shutrukids commonly used the title '(king) whose kingdom Inshushinak loves.'