Miniature Book with Qu'ranic Prayers

Comprising three pillow-shaped tablets with cuneiform text, and a corner fragment. 163 grams total, 32-60mm



Specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1992. Thence by descent to family members. 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 small collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples.

Comprising a quantity of mixed carnelian, agate, and other beads. 105 grams total, 3-12 mm



UK gallery, early 2000s.

Carnelian beads were diffused in west from the Iranian and other Western Asiatic countries. During Antiquity, the beads were transported from their places of manufacture in India and Persian Empires, and archaeological and literary sources provide evidence of the high prosperity of the Red Sea ports as well as of their trade contact with the Indo-Pacific regions.

Formed as a small circular vessel, the frontal part shaped as a female face, with well-defined nose, eyes and mouth, long hair on the sides framing the face, traces of colour still present on the upper edge. 71 grams, 60 mm



Collected from 1969-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.

Faience objects have been discovered in great numbers at various Middle Assyrian and later sites, including the capitals, provincial and administrative centres as well as small settlements. Functionally, the faience objects can be assigned to a variety of categories, among which vessels, fragments thereof, and jewellery are the most numerous. The vessels are predominantly open-shaped, such as bowls and cups, but miniature bottles, beakers and other types of vessels were also found. Our small cup was probably intended for female toilette usage.