Old Akkadian Terracotta Round Tablet Recording Amounts of Grain

Standing on a flanged base with a weapon in each hand, baldric with axe to the shoulder. 196 grams, 15.7 cm



Acquired in Paris and London, 1970s. From a collection of Canaanite gods in bronze, from the collection of a 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.12701-234381. 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.

The bronze or copper figurines of this class were cast either in single or double moulds, examples of which have been found at Byblos, Tell Soukas and Megiddo. Stylistically, they can be subdivided into at least two distinct groups: a) The "Byblo-Syrian" Group and b) the "Byblo-Egyptian" Group.

Comprising: large domed vessel with rounded rim and four painted segments each with repeated symbols; plus a smaller non ancient conical vessel with inturned rim, painted legend in three concentric rings and symbol to centre. 388 grams total, 9.1-16.5 cm



Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1, UK, 1998-2003. Property of a London based academic, 2003-present. 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.

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 those faced in child-birth, illness and evil spirits.

Square in section, tubular bead with reserved coiled serpent, head at each end. 3.32 grams, 36 mm



with Gallery Rosen Ancient Art, Tel Aviv, 1968. with a London, UK gallery, 1971-early 2000s. Includes a copy of the original 1968 invoice. 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.