Mesopotamian Alabaster Bowl

Rectangular in plan and triangular in section with a median hole, flat face with incuse frieze of ibexes. 38.9 grams, 61 mm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

Some stamp seals from the period of transition between Jemdat Nasr and the Early Dynastic Period of Ur represent animals, and some scholars suggest that they were probably used as pendants or amulets. The animals are somewhat simplified and often reduced to mere lines: a file of animals usually forms the basis of such a pattern.

Diorama on a L-shaped base depicting a ram standing with a shackle to one foreleg attached to a stub pillar, bowl by the forelegs, kneeling kilted male to the side with a pot on his lap, hands clasped, mouth open; attachment lugs to the underside. 155 grams, 58 mm wide



Property of a London gentleman; in the family collection since the 1970s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13311-258232.

According to some scholars, the ram should be considered a symbol of farreh, an important Iranian concept sometimes translated as ‘glory’ or ‘charisma’ that mythical kings needed to rule and heroes to defeat their enemies.

Comprising: band of geometric figures (birds?) within borders of broken lines; frieze of standing birds each with head turned on a long neck and one wing extended; frieze of zoomorphs one with four thin legs and Y-shaped body, the other smaller with horns; frieze of perching birds each with one wing extended, the first with head turned towards the second, within ruled borders; fragment with robed figure extending one arm towards a second figure in mantle and ankle-length robe; each supplied with a museum-quality impression. 26.3 grams total, 20-26 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.