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LOT 0821
Neo Babylonian Agate Stamp Seal with King Worshipping
CIRCA 6TH CENTURY B.C.
1 in. (15.7 grams, 27 mm).
An agate stamp seal with an irregular octagonal cross-section, incuse figural scene to base displaying a king at worship, crescent in the field above; pierced 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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Amlash Zoomorphic Terracotta Vessel
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £180 - 240 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
A red terracotta vessel in the form of a stylised sheep, composed of an ovoid body with integral tail, shallow neck to the vessel opening and animal's neck and head with horns curled around its ears, pricked eyes and muzzle formed as pouring spout. 248 grams, 14.7 cm wide
Fine condition.
Acquired 1970s-1990s. Ex Pars Gallery, Mayfair, London, UK. From a specialist collection of pottery.
Vessels of this type likely served a ceremonial function and were often ritually deposited in graves. -
Cuneiform Accounting Tablet Listing a Distribution to a Series of Babylonian Soldiers
Mid 2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,105
A bifacial rectangular tablet with lentoid cross-section, the two principal faces bearing cuneiform text relating to a distribution for several individuals whose names are recorded in the left-hand column (Sîn-bēl-ilī Masitum, Sinatum, etc.), probably Babylonian soldiers, the document dates to the end of the first Babylonian dynasty; repaired. 353 grams, 13 cm wide
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. The collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples. -
Syro-Hittite Figurine with Animal
Circa 2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,404
An abstract terracotta figure modelled standing, carrying a small animal in its arms, possibly a kid, with a pinched head, large circular eyes, conical headpiece, discoid ear ornaments and a neck ornament. 56 grams, 12.6 cm high
Collection of a deceased London gentleman, 1979-1999, by descent. Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report no. N122e89 from Oxford Authentication. Accompanied by a previous typed and illustrated catalogue page.
The Syro-Hittite states rose to prominence in northern Syria and southern Anatolia (modern Turkey) following the collapse of the Hittite Empire, during which time many such figures were produced and widely distributed for domestic use. Such figures, later pejoratively referred to as 'idols', depicted deities carrying or standing with animals.
