Old Babylonian Cuneiform Tablet of a Contract

Modelled in the round, front and back paws formed as a one block, pierced lug to the back. 57.5 grams, 57 mm



with a London, UK gallery, 1971-early 2000s.

The lion was one of the most widely used symbols in Seljuk culture. They frequently used the word aslan, meaning lion, in the names of their Sultans and statesmen, such as Alparslan, "brave lion," Aslanshah, "lion king," and Aslandogmus, "lion born." Four of the Seljuk Sultans were named Kilicarslan, which combines the words for a sword and lion, and the interest in lions is clearly reflected in the art and architecture of the Seljuk period. Lion-head water spouts are to be found at a number of caravanserais, and lion statues guarded the portals to the city of Cardak Han in Anatolia, as well as carved onto the walls of the palace at Incir Han. The lion is also to be found on the coins of Sultan Giyaseddin II.

Rebound as a hardback with leather binding to spine and fore-edge envelope flap, marbled boards, title page with triangular block of text in red and black, notes in a different hand below; text pages typically 11 lines of wide-spaced naskh script in black ink with red title and diacritics, six-pointed stars, marginal notation, red-framed numerical and other tables; damaged pages repaired and restored; dense blocks of script to both end pages. 553 grams, 15 x 20.3 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.12272-220411.

The text is 'The Secret of Al Azhar and the Red Sulphur' (known as 'The Light of Lights and the Secret of Secrets') by al-Hakim Al-Khemai Dhul-Nun Uthman bin Suwavd Al-Akhmaimi, written out by Yususf bin Yagoub Al Ashiuli in 933 A.H. (1526 A.D.).

Plano-convex seal with conjoined animal heads; accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note dated April 1999, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Goethite 16x19x15.4 mm. This is a decorated ellipsoid with nearly round flat face, the back with large suspension hole and decorated with three pairs of two raised circles. The design consists of the protomes of four creatures joining the middle: bull, ram (or ibex), stag and eagle. Around them are three fillers: two stars and a crescent. This is a Sassanian seal. c.200-500 A.D. It is in very good condition and has a very rare design. No doubt there is some symbolism in these four creatures, but the present writer does not know what it is.' 8.46 grams, 19 mm



UK private collection, 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note dated April 1999, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993.