Old Babylonian Cuneiform Tablet with Original Envelope, Recording a Contract for 1½ Shekels of Silver

Rectangular tray with segmented upper face, each sidewall with incuse scene of two opposed animals (horses, goats) one with a human figure interposed. 820 grams, 10.9 cm



Private collection. Acquired in 2001. Private collection, Europe. 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.

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 Red Stone with some Black and White Patches, 36 x15 mm., held in Ancient Bronze Mount with Ring, Total Height: 53 mm. The design shows two figures, the one on the left seated on a stool narrower at floor level than at the seat, he has a bare head, wears clothing down to his ankles, holds a mace in the right hand, a second mace projects above his shoulders, while in his left hand there is a revolving weapon (a sling?). Facing him is a standing figure with clothes to the knees, holding up an unidentified small object in his right hand, holding down a mace in the left hand. Something is suspended by a cord from his extended elbow, and a bow is attached to his shoulders. Between the two figures is a recumbent feline with head turned back. In the sky there is a winged solar disc. For a terminal there is an elaborate stand supporting what is apparently a divine standard. The whole design is put between upper and lower rules. This is a Levantine seal dating to c. 1000-500 B.C. of an extremely rare type. The closest parallel is a cylinder seal in the Louvre, L. Delaporte, Musee du Louvre, Catalogue des Cylindres Orientaux II (1923) A 958, found at Neirab, near Aleppo. The two figures owe something to Old Babylonian seals, the revolving weapon and the dress of the standing figure. The feline, however, and the general 'feel' of the piece are clearly of later and more westerly origin. This is an important piece for its size and rarity; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 20.4 grams, 58 mm



From the private collection of a North American lady, formed 1970s-early 1990s, with collection reference no.P9. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert dated June 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.

Rectangular in plan with incised profile figure wearing a knee-length tunic and coiled leggings, a bulbous hat, holding a chalice in one hand; tooling marks to rear edge. 4.26 grams, 32 mm



Acquired in the 1980s. Ex Mayfair gallery, London, UK. Private collection, London. 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.