Mesopotamian Stone Vessel

Discoid in plan and pierced transversely with later D-shaped gold caps to each end; mounted on a custom-made stand. 88 grams total, 84 mm wide including stand



Private collection, acquired on the UK art market, 2000. Private collection, Switzerland. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12877-241681.

Squat lotiform bowl with wide everted rim, central domed mesomphalos with rosette detailing, some restoration to the rim; with custom-made box. 240 grams, 13.7 cm wide



Ex London, UK gallery, 1971-early 2000s. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13067-248447.

This bowl is possibly part of a set of nearly identical vessels, probably used at the table of a high-status household, potentially that of a satrap. Persian governors (satrapes) used banquets to display their wealth and power by imitating royal banquets. It was a great honour for them to receive a drinking vessel such as this as a gift from the King of the Kings, thereby establishing their status as royal dinner guests. No doubt it took practice to drink adeptly from a vessel like this, yet the omphalos in the base would have made it easier to hold with one hand, with the middle finger hooked inside the indentation and the thumb stretched out to grip the vessel at or near the rim.

Rectangular paper leaf with hand-painted scene of a standing figure in an arch with tendril detailing; the figure bearded with short hair, wearing an ankle-length banded tunic and shawl; edges chipped; supplied with old card mount. 54 grams, 20.5 x 13.3 cm



Private collection, UK.