Mesopotamian Black Stone Seal with Lion and Male Figure

Leaf-shaped blade with raised midrib extending to a square-section shank, flared below with a square-section tang. 396 grams, 24.2 cm



Acquired in the 1990s. Ex Abelita family collection. 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 weapon belongs to the type 1 of the Khorasani spearhead classification, mainly from Marlik or Amlash areas. Similar pieces have been dated by Stutzinger to 1200-1100 B.C.

With animals and standing figure, restrung pair of red stone beads, old handwritten label '1614'; accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Hematite, 19.5.x9.5 mm. The design consists of one item occupying the full height of the space, the other items being in effect in two registers. The human figure is full-height, wearing a robe to the ground, holding one hand to the waist, the other up. The lower register consists mainly of two recumbent horned animals, each facing backwards towards a sacred- tree. To the right is a smaller quadruped, to the left a rosette and star. Above a griffin is attacking a quadruped, while behind. The griffin is another quadruped, but horned and recumbent. This seal is Mitanni Elaborate Style, c. 1500-1200 B.C. from Syria or north Mesopotamia. It is cut, as normal for this type of seal, mainly with the cutting wheel and drill, and is a fine example of its kind.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 6.2 grams, 19 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in 1991. 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.

Comprising a tall facetted body pierced at the top, underside engraved with a robed figure in the worshipping attitude before an altar, star above; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 9.76 grams, 26 mm



UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. 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.