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LOT 1105
Old Akkadian Cylinder Seal with Drinking Scene
CIRCA 2300-2200 B.C.
1 1/4 in. (22.5 grams, 31 mm).
Cylinder with cord and bead handles; accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Black Stone, 31 x 19 mm. The scene consist of three figures: on the left is a god, marked out by his horned tiara, and sitting on an angular stool generally thought to represent a temple facade. Facing him is a human seated on a more practical seat, with crossing legs. Each holds a straw to a pot in the middle, from which they are or will be drinking. Behind the god stands an attendant with one hand raised. For a terminal there is a stylised tree. This is an old Akkadian drinking scene, c. 2300-2200 B.C., from Mesopotamia or south-west Iran. It is an important example because normally both figures look either divine or human, but here one, is clearly divine and the other human. The drink in the pot is beer, and straws were used because it was not strained, and all the husks of the barley were in the liquid, and were strained out by the straws.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceUK private collection, acquired 1980-1983.
Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in January 1992.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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Anatolian Black Stone Cylinder Seal with Standing Figure
Circa 1000-800 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Cylinder with cord and bead handles; accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Description of Cylinder Seal of soft black stone, 29 x 12 mm. A standing human-looking figure with short kilt and mane of hair (or helmet with mane) holds a spear in one hand, a stone(?) in the other. He is facing a horned quadruped with raised tail, and between them there is a tree and smaller, distinct quadruped. There are two linear devices on the base-line, and a rule above encloses the engraving. This is a rare type of seal, probably from Syria or Anatolia, and c. 1000-800 B.C. The plume is the most significant point, but knowledge is not yet so far advanced that this seal can be confidently attributed to a particular culture. As such, it is extremely interesting. The condition is fine.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 7.65 grams, 23 mm
UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in October 1987. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Mesopotamian Multi Spiral Gold Pendant Bead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Comprising a tubular body with a pair of applied wire spirals to each side. 0.31 grams, 11 mm
Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Old Babylonian Cuneiform Administrative Tablet Fragment
Circa 2000-1600 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Fragment of a pillow-shaped tablet, cuneiform text to both broad faces and one edge. 58.8 grams, 50 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. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
