Lead Pyramidal Weight with Characters

A group of two ceramic artefacts: an Ur miniature pot of carinated form with everted lip, dated c.2000 B.C.; a roughly rectangular tablet bearing cuneiform text to both principal faces and to each side edge, a memo relating to an expenditure of beer for mercenaries in garrison in the service of Babylon (20th year Abi-ešuh 1711-1684 BC): '2 jars of 15 liters for the rations of the troop of the Cassites. Contribution of Ibnatum.' 100 grams total, 36-43 mm



From an old UK collection. From the private collection of Alf Baxendale (1941-2016) part 2, keen Egyptologist, member of the Egyptology Society, trustee of the Amarna Trust; thence by descent. Accompanied by two identification display cards. Accompanied by a copy of his obituary published in Horizon, The Amarna Project and Amarna Trust newsletter, Issue 18, 2017, p.21, by Barry John Kemp, CBE, FBA, Professor Emeritus of Egyptology at the University of Cambridge and directing excavations at Amarna in Egypt.

A truncated conical gypsum ritual drinking cup with rounded rim and discoid foot, displaying a frieze of mythological animals in relief to the exterior, including a lion-headed eagle with its wings spread, and an iconic Mesopotamian religious scene composed of a deity wearing a horned cup, flanked by a bull and goat; repaired. 27.9 grams, 46 mm wide



Acquired 1969-1999. London collection of the late Mr S.M., thence by descent. Accompanied by a previous typed cataloguing sheet.

In many ancient Mediterranean cultures, such vessels were symbols of wealth and status, or ritual objects associated with cult activities. Lion-headed eagles were associated with the god of Imdugud or Anzu, a divine bird and the personification of wind, thunder and cloud; this cup may have been used as a dedication to the god.

A carved bone finial for a knife or other utensil, a lozengiform head with shaped flourishes to three sides, neck of oval cross-section, bifacial geometric decoration composed of ring-and-dot motifs and hatching; green colouration. 13.7 grams, 61 mm



Acquired 1990s. Ex French collection.