Large Bactrian Blue Glass Intaglio with Portrait

Border of segments with scrolled foliage detailing; central aquatic design with fish-tailed monster and bird reserved against a turquoise field; low foot to underside. 530 grams, 21.7 cm



Acquired on the UK art market since the 1990s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent.

Cylinder with animals, restrung red stone bead to each end; 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 brown hematite, 24 x 12 mm. Condition fine. In the centre a mythical bird figure stands while to either side are arranged symmetrically a horned animal above a lion. The remaining space is filled with a lozenge shape above a horned animal with wings above a fish. The whole design is enclosed by a horizontal line above and below. This seal in a typical Mitanni "elaborate style" specimen, c.1500-1350 B.C., from anywhere between the edges of Kurdistan in the East and the Mediterranean in the West. The identity of the bird-figure is unknown, and the symbolism of the animals and fishes is similarly not known. As usual with most Mitanni seals, the whole design was cut with mechanical means the drill and the cutting wheel.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 11 grams total, seal: 24.3 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, 1986.

An oval intaglio with a two-line inscription. 1.54 grams, 17 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Private collection, London.