Large Bactrian Terracotta Chalice

Shaped as a standing piglet with a loop on 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: 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 39 x 24 x 12mm. This has the shape of piglet standing. it has a flat compartmented face, and a slightly convex back on which is mounted a short loop handle. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is covered with incrustation, which could be removed. The metal appears to be in good condition, and this is a fascinating piece.' 15.1 grams, 38 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Ex property of a West London businessman. Academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly report, numbered R-479, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert.

Architectural fragment with rectangular band to one edge, carved decorative detailing with inscription. 7.85 kg, 32.6 cm



Private collection, Europe, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1980s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12521-231989.

Amid the many architectural, sculptural, and textual riches of Assyria and Mesopotamia, the broken pieces of basalt bearing fragmentary cuneiform inscriptions have received little attention, but are of fundamental importance. Despite being quite fragmentary, these broken pieces of basalt are the remains of an important witness to the Assyrian imperial presence in the Near East.

Composed of tabular lozenge-shaped, biconial, spherical and facetted beads, restrung with a hook-and-loop clasp. 88 grams, 86 cm



Acquired in London, 1974. Ex K.M., London, UK. with Gorny and Mosch, Auction 252, 13 December 2017, no.357. with Gorny and Mosch, Auction 256, 26 June 2018, no.273. Private collection, London, UK.