Late Achaemenid Bronze Phiale Mesomphalos

Hollow-formed and wearing a peaked headdress, left hand clasping her breast, emphasised facial detailing. 135 grams, 16 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

A bronze seal in the form of a standing pig, accompanied by a typed and signed note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 37 x 61 x 14mm. This has the shape of a standing pig, with no ears marked, but with a short tail and big round eye. Its snout is raised. The seal has a flat, compartmented face, and flat back on which a handle of sheet metal is mounted. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It has a rare and attractive design, and is in very good condition save that the hind leg is broken off. The metal has been conserved.' 37 grams, 61 mm



Ex Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection number R-770, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s.

Carved in the round as a crouching bull with its legs folded underneath the body, tail tucked between the hindlegs and resting against the side of the right side of the body; the beast's head held high with drilled nostrils and recessed eyes to accept inlays, the base of the horns drilled to accept separate inserts. 223 grams, 90 mm



Ex S. collection, London, UK, 1980s-2000s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12254-222311.