Miniature Old Babylonian Lapis Lazuli Cylinder Seal with Seated Gods

Raised from a single sheet with conical body and everted rim, three striding ibexes in repoussè, each with its head held up high and depicted with defined musculature and genitalia; band of ovule decoration above and below, three hanging flowers separating the ibexes; the base with a an eight-petalled flower; late Elamite or Marlik. 153 grams, 12 cm



with Mahboubian Gallery, New York, acquired prior to 1966. Property of a London gentleman. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12161-218632.

This splendid vessel, decorated with a design possibly of Elamite origin, probably originates from North-Western Iran, or from South Caspian Area. Hammered sheet vessels were produced in Western Iranian metal workshops since the 3rd millennium B.C. (Moorey, Bunker, Porada, Markoe, 1981, p.82). By far the closest parallels are from Marlik, Kaluraz and Hasanlu, where finds of silver and gold vessels with animal friezes, and also of the same form and style of animal depiction and body decoration are recorded (Negahban, 1964, figs. 103, 108, 109, 111, 113, 136, 140, 144, pls. IV, VIIIA, XII, XVI).

Comprising: a pillow-shaped carnelian amulet pierced through the notched upper edge, hatched panels to both faces; a triangular-section stamp seal displaying ring-and-dot motifs and a possible animal figure; a plano-convex stamp seal bearing a geometric motif; a square-shaped lapis lazuli amulet engraved with a horned quadruped standing right. 19.4 grams total, 12-24 mm



Collected since the 1970s. Ex Everitt collection, acquired by descent 2017.

Comprising annular collars of various types. 3.16 grams total, 4-7 mm



Collected from 1970-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.