Mesopotamian Stone Vessel

Cylinder with standing figures and animals, restrung pair of red stone beads, old handwritten label '1659'; 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 Black Stone, 40.5 x 19.5 mm. The deeply engraved design shows two warrior gods, standing, wearing short kilts with one hand raised the other holding an object the one holding a spear, the other an unidentified item represented by a vertical line. Before each standing warrior god is a sideways horned animal in one case and a sideways donkey in the other. There is a row of symbols along the top of the area: a circle with cross inside, an inverted crescent and dot, and a bull's head. There are horizontal rulings above and below the scene. This is a North Syrian or Anatolian seal c. 2000-1800 B.C. This is a rare type, and a nice example. The points on the top of the heads of the gods are no doubt spiked helmets, and the short kilt also fits the Anatolian storm god, which was worshipped in a variety of different forms. The style of engraving is deep but uncluttered and has a considerable charm.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 30.8 grams, 40 mm



Armand Trampitsch, Glyptique Archéologie, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 13-14 May 1992, no.23 [Part]. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in 1992. 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.

Modelled with a flat-section body and splayed base, arms and hands positioned on the chest, applied ornamental collar and headdress or hair; large circular eyes and pinched nose. 146 grams, 18.5 cm high



From the property of the late Mr SM, London, UK, 1969-1999; thence by descent. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent. 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.

Each a reclining beast, a lion and ram pierced at the shoulders. 20.6 grams total, 27-32 mm



From the private collection of Mr K.A., acquired in the 1990s-early 2000s. 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.