Sasanian Cut Glass Bowl

Comprising: two large tanged arrowheads, mainly of triangular type with mid-rib; other two of the same typology, but with rounded shoulders; six triangular, leaf-shaped, barbed, and paddle-shaped arrowheads with a flat, comparatively wide mid-rib; one small triangular arrowhead with rounded shoulders; two arrowheads with foliate shape and short tang; a triangular type with flat mid-rib and raised corners; a long narrow triangular arrowhead with raised shoulders and long tang; one triangular blade with flat midrib and short tang; a long and narrow paddle-shaped arrowhead. 234 grams total, 3.6-15.7 cm



From the London art market, 1990s. 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.

A number of arrowheads of this type have been excavated in Luristan and in the South-Caspian region. Many parallels are from a burial context, but a large hoard of them was found in a non-funerary context. This type of arrowhead was in use from the late 2nd millennium B.C.

Modelled standing on a wheatsheaf-shaped seal matrix, pierced through the body. 73 grams, 49 mm



Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), thence by descent. Ex Galerie Khnoum, Geneva, Switzerland. Private collection of Mr K.A. 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.

Ellipsoid in plan and plano-convex in section, reverse with invocation scene: on a baseline a kilted figure advancing towards an altar with flames, holding a cup and a plate; altar flanked by two crouching winged bulls with human heads; perching eagle to right with amphora; above a winged sun-disc and rectangular object; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 18.4 grams, 32 mm



From the Fadel family collection, London, UK, 1970s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12769-237265. 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 seal shows elements belonging to the period of the Achaemenid dynasty: the winged solar disc, symbol of the supreme god, Ormadz; the fire altar in the centre, a typically Zoroastrian element. The costume of the offerant is also decidedly Persian, with a short tunic at the knees and trousers of the saravara type.