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LOT 0248
Large Mesopotamian Bronze Torch Bearer
EARLY DYNASTIC PERIOD II, MID 3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.
16 7/8 in. (3.44 kg, 42.8 cm).
Depicting a bull standing with legs splayed and firmly planted, tail extending to the ground, billetted bands to the neck, chest, shoulders, rump and hips, rosette sun wheel to each shoulder and hip; mounted on the brow a tubular socket, extended stem with three median collars, and three more at the top; three radiating feline figures each supporting a post with gusseted ring above.
ProvenanceAcquired before 1983.
Ex London gallery, 1990s.
Private collection, London.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12796-241374.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. a similar vessel stand with ibex support in the Metropolitan Museum, accession number 1974.190; Frankfort, H., More Sculpture from the Diyala Region, OIP 60, Chicago, 1943, pls.33-34, 55-57; 91,95; Carter, M.L., Goldstein, S., Harper, P.O., Kawami, T.S., Meyers, P., Splendors of the Ancient East, Antiquities from the al-Sabah collection, London, 2013, figs.1 and nos.1-2-3-4, for metal figures done in similar style.
FootnotesThe artefact belongs to a series of bronze works attesting the wide regional trade existing in the mid to late 3rd millennium B.C. in the Mesopotamian lands. They were realised with human or animal figures planted on a rectangular stand with a massive armature or candelabra issuing from the back.
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LOT 0248
Large Mesopotamian Bronze Torch Bearer
Estimate £70,000 - 90,000€81,200 - 104,400 (for guidance only)$94,500 - 121,500 (for guidance only)
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Old Babylonian Cuneiform Terracotta Tablet
Circa 2000-1530 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,640
Rectangular clay tablet with cuneiform text to both broad faces. 138 grams, 96 mm
Ex Oriental Dar Antiques, Jerusalem, 1967. European private collection. Accompanied by a thermoluminescence analysis report no.N125e33 from Oxford Authentication. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12770-237184. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Old Babylonian tablets were found in regular excavations from Khafaje and Kish, although still today the main body came from dealers. A definite date can be assigned to them only on the basis of internal evidence. The scripts of the tablets varies a good deal: some tablets are written in archaic cursive, others in younger cursive, still others mix archaic and younger sign forms. -
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Luristan Bronze Vessel
Circa 950 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
With flattened base and everted rim, two circumferential bands on the body. 248 grams, 95 mm wide
Ex London, UK, collections, 1990s-2000s. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The people of Luristan were mainly nomadic, constantly moving in summer and winter pastures, and needed metal utensils. Therefore, in addition to weapons, these excellent metal workers produced, in considerable numbers, light and elegant bronze vases and cups. -
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Mesopotamian Cuneiform Tablet Fragment
Early 2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
Pillow-shaped fragment with cuneiform text to both broad faces. 35.3 grams, 42 mm
Specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1992. Thence by descent to family members. Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This small collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
