Neo Babylonian Rock Crystal Stamp Seal

Plano-convex in profile with transverse hole for suspension; underside with kneeling genie in flounced robe with arms outstretched and wings spread, profile head with long square-cut beard, pellets in the field. 25.3 grams, 27 mm



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

Rebound hardback with full leather binding, central arabesque foliage panel to both covers, fore-edge flap and envelope flap; title page with liquid gold panel inside a frame with cross and colon detailing (:+:); text pages with concentric red, black and liquid gold frame and typically 17 lines of black text with red titles and highlighting, marginal notation; liquid gold header blocks, occasional dense marginal notation; notation to underside of text-block; spine repaired. 587 grams, 11.5 x 16.7 cm



From an important family collection started in the late 1950s. Property of a West London, UK, gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12275-220403.

The text is 'Kitab matalle ammasaraat snarh dalayii alkhayrat' (The Book of Ascension of Delights, Explanation of the Evidences of Goodness) compiled by the Sheikh, writer and historian Muhammad al-Mahdi ibn Ahmad Al-Fasi who died in 1109 A.H. (1697 A.D.) written out by the poet Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Saleh ibn Omar Pasha al-Dimashqi in 1162 A.H. (1748 A.D.).

Modelled in the round figure with flared foot, stylised anthropomorphic or theriomorphic figure with amphora and mounting peg to reverse; mounted on a custom-made stand. 163 grams total, 92 mm high including stand



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.