Sumerian Faience Plaque

Comprising three rings: one with an openwork hoop and raised bezel set with a glass intaglio; one with keeled hoop and lentoid bezel with incised foliate design; one with a D-section hoop supporting a raised bezel with inscription in two lines. 19 grams total, 22-26 mm



UK private collection before 2000. On the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.

With triumphant heroes, accompanied by a museum-quality impression and typed and signed scholarly note issued by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of White Stone 24 x 17 mm. The design shows the same scene twice: a standing hero with big long beard and wearing a long robe to the ankles is gripping one front paw of a rearing monster in front of him as he holds up the other hand. The monster has a bull's body with wings and a bird's head with projecting horns or ears. This is a rare type of seal coming from west central Asia. A date c. 1100-800 BC is the most likely. The seal is in good condition.' 11.3 grams, 24.2 mm (65 grams total, 68 mm including stand)



Ex Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; item number T-927. Academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s; accompanied by an original typed and signed scholarly note by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert.

Scaraboid stamp seal with winged sphinx design, pierced horizontally for suspension. 4.13 grams, 20 mm



Anonymous sale; with Christie's, New York, 13 June 2000, no.517 (part). From the 'Empire' collection, an important UK private collection of seals.