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LOT 0816
Neo-Babylonian Agate Stamp Seal with King Worshipping
CIRCA 6TH CENTURY B.C.
3/4 in. (11.68 grams, 22.09 mm).
An agate stamp seal with slightly convex base bearing intaglio scene of a worshipping king standing left, a star above; pierced towards the apex for suspension.
ProvenanceAcquired 1969-1999.
London collection of the late Mr S.M., thence by descent.
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AUCTIONS:
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Kingdom of Larsa Cuneiform Tablet for Food Distribution in Ubar-iltum
18th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
A large portion of a pillow-shaped clay tablet, bearing cuneiform text to one face and side edge, relating to food distribution in Ubar-iltum, Maši depending on the service of Adalšenni etc. Kingdom of Larsa (?). 55 grams, 45 mm
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. -
Central Asian Seal Pendant with Spread Eagle
23rd-20th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
A bronze seal pendant in the form of an eagle with spread wings, with suspension loop to reverse; accompanied by a typed and signed scholarly note by W.G. Lambert, the late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: '...This has the shape of a heraldic eagle: head sideways at the top, wings spread out, and tail feathers down. The face is flat and the eagle shape is hollowed out away from the edges. The back is generally convex, and has a big loop handle attached. The seal comes from west-central Asia and dates to c.2300-2000 B.C. It is an attractive piece and is in very good condition.' 13.6 grams, 28 mm
1980s-early 1990s collection, UK. Accompanied by an original typed and signed scholarly note issued by the late Professor W.G. Lambert. -
Aramaic Magical Bowl Bearing an Incantation Against Evil Spirits
4th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
A ceramic flat-based bowl, inscribed in spiral from the bottom inner wall to the rim with Aramaic text, and on the outer rim. 692 grams, 19.5 cm wide
Early 1990s London collection. Acquired on the UK art market. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK
Aramaic incantation bowls are particular to the Sassanian period and have been found in the regions of modern Iraq. These simple ceramic bowls, also known as magic bowls, each contain an Aramaic inscription, written in ink, which spirals from the centre. The bowls seem to have played an important part in domestic life. For example, during excavation in Nippur in 1889, one or more incantation bowls were found in each house together with domestic artefacts, most often in doorways or under floorboards in the corner of rooms. The bowls are predominantly apotropaic, and the inscriptions tend to protect their owners from misfortunes such as child-birth, illness and evil spirits.
