Mesopotamian White Marble Animal Amulets

Representing a worship scene with ritual animal offering; a priest with long beard and round headgear standing in front of an altar surmounted by a staff topped by a crescent; a sacrificial animal (goat?) on the altar; a later trilobate bronze pendant fastened through a modern loop to the seal. 10.4 grams, 67 mm



From a private family collection formed since the early 19th century, thence by descent. Property of a New Zealand legal professional. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12331-223714.

The worshipper performing the sacrifice is a priest, wearing a brimmed, rounded headdress under which his shoulder-length hair emerges. In front of him, the staff (symbol of Nabû) is surmounted by the crescent moon.

With intaglio standing figures each with discoid head surmounted by a crescent, supporting a circular panel with beaded outline, four crouching figures with arms raised holding maces and spears radiating from a a central guilloche motif, interstitial radiating bars motif (fire) to each corner. 11 grams, 28 mm



Ex 'S' collection, London, UK. Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12423-225425.

With conical base, flat body and head; pinched face with impressed eyes, collar, breasts and hands. 17 grams, 64 mm



Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s. London, UK, collection.