Mesopotamian Stone Cylinder Seal with Processional Scene

With incuse frieze comprising a standing robed figure and a winged figure with a spear advancing towards a kilted figure with daggers in his hands above an ankh; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 3.43 grams, 17.14 mm



From the 'S' collection, acquired 1970-1990s. The collection was seen and studied by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993.) 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.

Cylinder with cord and bead handles; 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: 'Description of Cylinder Seal of White/Cream Stone, 15 x 9.5 mm. Seated figure in flounced dress faces a standing figure in flounced dress with right hand raised in greeting and left hand gripping wrist of similarly dressed figure behind. There is a base-line, but no upper rule. Inscription (owner's name) : tá-at-ku-ma-ma = Tatku-Mamma. This is a north- or west-Mesopotamian rendering of the Ur III presentation scene. In the Ur III examples the seated deity meets a human being introduced by a minor deity, but in this case all three figures are similarly dressed. The seated deity holds up a piece of plant for identification, perhaps marking him as the Syrian storm god Addu. The date must be c. 2000-1900 B.C. Condition: good.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 3.66 grams, 15 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in October 1987. 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.

Carved in the round bust with heavily hatched brow and cheeks, D-shaped eyes, snubbed feline nose, ellipsoid mouth gaping with teeth exposed, segmented panel to chest. 47 grams, 37 mm



European art market, 1997. Acquired by the present owner from the above. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12596-232196. 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.

Pazuzu, in the old Mesopotamian mythology, is described as ‘the son of Hanbu and king of wind demons’. Amulets with images of his full body or, more often, just his head, were common in the early first millennium B.C. Pazuzu was most popular in the Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian periods, from about the late 8th century B.C. through the 6th century B.C.