Mesopotamian Stone Frog Amulet

The upper part of a flat-backed female figurine, her arms crossed at the chest and wearing a conical headdress. 44.7 grams, 55 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

With incuse frieze depicting a presentation scene, two profile figures in flounced robes flanking two standing figures in floor-length garments, one with leg bent and foot resting on a stool, receiving a gift of a small animal from his neighbour; fifth figure to the rear; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 12.53 grams, 23 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.

Comprising a thick discoid body with a tapering handle above, 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: 'Stamp Seal of White Marble, 28 x 25 mm. The base of the stamp is round, with a flat bottom and slightly outcurving sides. The handle rises from the base with decreasing diameter, and eight sides, to the knob, which is roughly oval and pierced from side to side, with a raised band over the top. This shape is a typical Hittite stamp seal shape. The design consists of a band of design around the edge surrounding hieroglyphs in the middle. The band consists of four sections of pattern: three kinds of guilloche and one section of dots, interspersed with two opposite animal heads, and two opposite unidentified items. The hieroglyphs are no doubt the owner's name. This seal comes from Anatolia, and dates to the 17/16th century B.C. It is in good state of preservation.' 26.7 grams, 35 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1990-1993. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in 1991.

Seals were the working signatures of the ancient Near East. Pressed or rolled into wet clay, they secured jars, bags, doors and tablets, and left a distinct impression that identified the owner, authorised a transaction, and showed whether a container had been opened. Stamp seals (pressed once to leave a single emblem) appear from the 7th–4th millennia BC and continue throughout later periods; cylinder seals (rolled to create a repeating frieze) developed in Mesopotamia in the late 4th millennium BC and are used into the 1st millennium BC. Beyond administration, seals were miniature artworks and amulets. Their images—gods and worshippers, royal hunts, banquets, heroes and mythic beasts—broadcast rank, piety and profession, and were believed to protect the owner. Materials range from soft stones to hard chalcedonies, haematite and lapis, worked with drills and abrasives to achieve crisp intaglio cutting. Many were worn on cords or rings and followed their owners through life, sometimes into the grave. Seals matter because they underpin the earliest systems of record-keeping and trade. Impressions on tablets and bullae are primary documents for ancient law, economy and religion; the seals themselves preserve that imagery in the round. For collectors, well-cut examples with sharp impressions, good polish and honest ancient wear are especially desirable, and pieces with early collection histories are keenly sought.