Paper Qur'an Page

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 Faience, Cream, 29 x 14 mm. The area of the design is divided into a smaller upper and a larger lower register. In the upper register are three horned animals, two with their heads down browsing, the third recumbent with its head up. In the lower register there is a kneeling god holding up a dead horned animal by its hind leg; two standing figures (priests) with a stylized tree between them; and two facing sphynxes above a fallen horned animal. This seas belongs to the Mittani common style, c. 1500-1200 B.C., and is one of the better specimens of its type. It probably comes from Syria, though Mitanni seals are found also in Palestine, Anatolia and Northern Mesopotamia. This double register type seems to be restricted to Syria. The tree is a symbol of the storm god, Teshub, but it is not known which god is represented by the horned animal.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 6.44 grams total, 8.1-28.8 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in August 1990. 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.

Low profile and gently flaring walls, incised concentric circles to the base. 171 grams, 16.5 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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.

Modelled in the round figure of a standing deity with textural detailing to the hair, naïve facial features with exaggerated eyes to accept inserts (absent) and slit mouth, gripping hands held out at the chest and one pierced to accept an attribute, knee-length garment, collar or necklace below the throat; mounted on a custom-made stand. 15.55 kg total, 47.5 cm high including stand



Ex Hans G. collection, Belgium, 1967-1983. Belgian art market, 1983. Private German collection of Mrs H., 1985-1993. with Pierre Bergé & Associés, Paris, 26 November 2013, no.198 (€40,000-45,000). Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Pierre Bergé & Associés printed catalogue pages (double page spread). Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00119290. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12468-230327. 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.

Similar free-standing statues have been found in the royal cemetery in Aswan (probably Khazinet ed-Darb in the Wādī Markha), and at Hayd ibn Aqil (Timna), in Yemen. They are mainly statuettes from the Yemeni kingdoms of Awsan and Qataban, which developed in the Beihan Valley. They represent rulers or important dignitaries of both reigns. The statue is remarkable for the detailed treatment of the facial features, hair and dress: the woman is portrayed wearing a long plain dress, similar to the modern futah of Yemenite people. The eyes were originally inlaid with shell set with polished obsidian pupils, giving a life-like effect to the static statuettes.