Mesopotamian Terracotta Jar

Comprising facetted carnelian and other beads in a gold setting with granulated collars; a marriage with wire loop to each end. 2.90 grams, 32 mm



Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970s.

With a wide hoop embellished with foliate design, raised lozenge-shaped plaque to the base; raised bezel with net-design to the outer edge, the bezel intricate calligraphy design. 12.25 grams, 27.67 mm overall, 17.98 x 21.12 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)



UK private collection before 2000. On the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.

Haematite cylinder seal featuring two horizontal registers with worshipping parades comprising long-robed male priests wearing ankle-length garments, seated on the stool-shaped throne, elegantly raising their left hands to hold a cup; other male priests in long garments either holding a vessel containing holy water or oil, or standing in a solemn gesture with hands raised or clasped in front of their chests. 5.26 grams, 32 mm



Acquired in the 1990s. Ex West London family collection. Property of a Bristol, UK, gentleman.

Iconographies and religious scenes seen on Early Dynastic seals are renowned for the further elaborations that depict contesting scenes, usually portraying nude heroes confronting bull-men or rampant, roaring lions. However, animals and heroes were not employed as the favourite motifs during the last part of the Early Dynastic period. Increased popularity of funerary art and banquets were richly practised in Ur, given an ample amount of royal cylinder seals that bear banquet or seated-king related scenes. On Early Dynastic cylinder seals, the image of a seated male figure holding a cup cannot always be interpreted with an extender divinity. It might have suggested a ruler's identity within a royal banquet scene. However, on this seal, the holy vessel and the representations of male worshippers indicate a clear religious significance. Within the traditional Mesopotamian religion, secular kings would have obtained divine power if they had engaged with the goddess Inanna during a sacred marriage. The cup, containing holy ointment or oil, held in the king's hand, might have been as an emblem to signify the elevated rank of a deified king. It might also have been used as an alternative religious practice, connecting the secular authority and the divine power during the Early Dynastic period.