Mesopotamian Terracotta Animal

With squat body and rounded shoulder, low neck and everted rim. 155 grams, 69 mm



Private collection, UK.

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.

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.

Openwork discoid seal with loop handle to the reverse; accompanied by 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 Bronze, 63x63x20 mm. This is round with flat face and flat back on which a handle of inverted U-shape is mounted on the back. The design is both compartmented and open-work. It shows a heraldic eagle in the middle: head up, wings spread, and tail feathers down, surrounded by a guilloche of nine spirals. The design is repeated by engraving on the back. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. The handle is worn, but otherwise it is in very good condition, and is a fine piece.' 63.6 grams, 64 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Ex property of a West London businessman. Academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s.