Mesopotamian Stone Butterfly Bead Necklace

Including a squat dipper cup with applied boss to the shoulder, a jar with rounded underside, and other types. 780 grams total, 8-16 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Comprising: hexafoil strap- or belt-fitting with panels of scrolled tendrils and reserved petals, reverse damaged; tongue-shaped hollow strap-end with openwork arabesque finial, bands of scrolled tendrils to obverse, incised arabesque to reverse; two rectangular belt mounts each with openwork obverse, hanged looped fitting to lower edge; four discoid mounts with three pierced lugs; two triangular plaques with openwork scrolled tendril design, pin to each angle; spherical dangle; ribbed scaphoid dangle; openwork hoop with scrolled tendrils; annular mount with ropework motif to obverse. 45 grams total, 9-49 mm



Mr M.B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1980s. Private collection, London. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr. Jack Ogden of Strptwist Ltd, reference 190623 with description of the items and the techniques used to produce them, and the metallic composition of the gold (56.36% to 64.25% on the items tested).

Comprising a restrung necklace of patinated carnelian disc beads with central larger stone bead, separated by tiny glass spacers between and modern screw clasp. 18 grams, 52 cm long



UK gallery, early 2000s.