Old Babylonian Clay Cone of Ishme Dagan

Broad terracotta bowl with extensive inked inscription and symbols to the inner face; repaired and partly disassembled. 382 grams total, 9-17 cm



From an important family collection, London and Geneva.

Aramaic incantation bowls are particular to the Sassanian period and have been found in regions of modern Iraq. 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.

With intaglio frieze depicting two tall robed female figures with a sun-disc in mid-air between them and with a smaller figure holding a spear, to the rear a fruit-bearing tree and a third tall figure holding a long tool or weapon; border formed with three vertical lines and a row of triangles; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 33.9 grams, 39 mm



From a Cotswold, UK, collection; as seen and catalogued by the late Professor Wilfrid George Lambert pre 1990. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.

Comprising three pillow-shaped tablets with cuneiform text, and a corner fragment. 163 grams total, 32-60mm



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.