Old Babylonian Terracotta Bulla Recording the Rations of Vegetable Oil to Named Individuals

Hemispherical in profile with narrow rim, frieze of perching birds in relief, each with a pellet eye, stub beak, large comma-shaped hatched wing and leg held horizontally beneath the body; rim chipped. 273 grams, 11.2 cm



with Holy Lands House, Israel, 1960s. Private collection, 2005. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12595-232195. 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 chlorite stone vessels of early Bactria were kidney-shaped vessels with simple geometric decoration or, like our specimen, semi-circular. Small cylindrical vases were used as cosmetic containers, together with chlorite cosmetic flasks.

A white metal ring with adjustable hoop, D-shaped shoulders with tendrils decoration, square bezel with openwork underside and applied gilt plaque bearing an Arabic inscription above. 19.78 grams, 26.18 mm overall, 18.33 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



Private collection, London, UK. 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.

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 dark-brown stone with white inclusions, 14 x 8.5 mm. Slight chipping on top, otherwise condition fine. Male figure wearing short kilt and raising one hand, in front of him female figure wearing long, flounced garment and raising both hands; both facing four bands containing (i) guilloche, (ii) backwards-facing rampant horned quadruped above sideways recumbent lion, (iii) recumbent stage between two other recumbent horned quadrupeds, (iv) slender dog (?) chasing quadruped with horns or long ears. From Syria, c. 1800-1700 B.C. For similar seals, see D. Collon, "The Green Jasper Cylinder Seal Workshop" in M.K. Buccellati et al. (eds.), Papers in Honor of Edith Porada.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.88 grams, 14 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in January 1989. 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.