Mesopotamian Stone Cylinder Seal with Processional Scene

Representing a god in short mantle and round cap with upturned brim, holding a mace in his left hand, before him a goddess standing in a horned crown and kaunakes, her hands raised in supplication; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 8.96 grams, 27 mm



Ex Mr J.K. collection, USA. Acquired from the above, 1997. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12581-232131. 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 seals of the First Isin Dynasty were much more varied than those just preceding the Third Dynasty of Ur. Often the chief god - probably Shamash - is standing, and the 'introducing' goddess is facing him, while the worshipper is not pictured. The seals are a mine for the understanding of the old Babylonian costume. The tunic of the female goddess here is made of tufted material that the Greeks called kaunakes, the weave of which imitated the effect of the earlier sheepskin costumes.

Discoid with a standing bird to the centre and loop to the rear; accompanied by typed and signed note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Bronze 24 x 24 x 13 mm. This is a flat disc cut from sheet metal with a pierced handle from the same material fixed on the back. It is round. The design shows a standing bird in the centre, something not yet identified in front of it and above it a crescent and to the side a hatched shape. The whole design is put within a circle of intertwining band. This is a rare seal from wets central Asia, c. 500-100 B.C. It is in excellent condition.' 7.9 grams, 25 mm



Ex collection of a late London gentleman, 1990s. Accompanied by an original typed and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, 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.

Cream-glazed with low basal ring, obverse with cerulean ring enclosing a running tendril with reserved leaves, inner dark blue panel with radiating starburst, centre a reserved disc with human mask. 619 grams, 22.5 cm



Acquired from old English collections via the UK art market since the mid 1970s. From the private collection of Peran Dachinger, thence by descent. From the family collection of a Maida Vale lady, UK. 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.