Parthian Blue Glazed Water Vessel

With trefoil mouth and integral ribbed handle, covered in a red slip with burnished surface; held in an antique wooden box crate. 1.72 kg, 28 cm



Collected by Miss Patience Townend, in the late 1950s. Thence by descent to the owner’s godmother. By gift to Mrs Lucy Manningham-Buller, circa 2002. Private collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a letter from Rupert Chapman, Curator of Levantine Antiquities, in the Middle Eastern Department at the British Museum, dated 4th March 2013, discussing the piece: ‘…there is no doubt in our minds that the piece is genuine, and that it dates to the eighth century B.C....the piece you have is a very fine one… any museum would be very happy to have such a fine example in its collection’. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13090-248974.

This object exemplifies the high-quality tableware produced during its historical period, intended for use in the wealthiest homes.

Modelled in the round with triangular fantail, lateral bulb eyes, pierced transversely at the chest for attachment. 19.8 grams, 45 mm



Acquired by a Swiss family in the mid-1980s to late 1990s, thence by descent. Private collection, Switzerland, since the late 1990s.

A squat vessel with a small base, raised neck and slightly projecting rim, carinated shoulder with two projecting bosses and a pair of high strap handles. 221 grams, 13.4 cm wide



Old Basel private collection. Elsa Bloch-Diener, Antike Kunst, Bern, 27 July 1990. Private collection, Bern, Switzerland. Private collection, UK.