Large Sasanian Agate Stamp Seal

Plano-convex in section with incuse sleeping lion; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.55 grams, 10 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

Spherical, undecorated bulla envelope containing clay tokens. 74 grams, 50 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. Accompanied by a previous cataloguing slip.

Small globular and hollow clay balls are defined as 'bulla'. They are also known as ‘bulla-envelopes', some of which are plain and some displaying epigraphic, zoomorphic and/or figural decoration, impressed by either cylinder or stamp seals. Bullae first emerged in Mesopotamia, and their earliest occurrence can be traced to circa 8000 B.C. Most known decorated bullae come from the Uruk area and offer an insight into its culture.

Bell-shaped body with a ribbed loop above, the underside with an incuse image of a horned quadruped; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 9.88 grams, 27 mm



Acquired before 1983. Ex London gallery, 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.