Neo-Babylonian Banded Agate Duck Weight

Domed stamp seal with engraved face; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Black/Green Stone 25 x 22.5 10 mm. This is a hemispheroid with flat face, pierced. The design consists of a simple cross and each vacant quarter so created is filled with two V-shapes. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 4000-3400 B.C. One side is broken off, but what remains is in good condition.' 9.5 grams, 25 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Ex property of a West London businessman. Academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly report, numbered V-88, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert.

Comprising: a dark grey steatite seal with two standing creatures with two smaller creatures above them; a hematite seal with a Syrian man wearing a short skirt, a man with curly hair holding a staff, an adorant in a Syrian skirt and a man wearing a pleated skirt; a light grey quartz seal with a figure with outstretched arms riding a beast; a steatite seal with vertical registers; a steatite seal with a seated figure and standing attendants; supplied with museum-quality impressions. 16.57 grams total, 12-24 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. Accompanied by previous typed catalogue slips with collection nos.29,39,59,70, and one handwritten note.

Representing a god in short mantle and round cap with upturned brim, holding a mace in his left hand, before him a goddess standing in a horned crown and kaunakes, her hands raised in supplication; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 8.96 grams, 27 mm



Ex Mr J.K. collection, USA. Acquired from the above, 1997. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12581-232131.

The seals of the First Isin Dynasty were much more varied than those just preceding the Third Dynasty of Ur. Often the chief god - probably Shamash - is standing, and the 'introducing' goddess is facing him, while the worshipper is not pictured. The seals are a mine for the understanding of the old Babylonian costume. The tunic of the female goddess here is made of tufted material that the Greeks called kaunakes, the weave of which imitated the effect of the earlier sheepskin costumes.