Sumerian Jemdet Nasr Period Animal Amulet

A mixed group of glazed ceramic floor tiles: 16 small star-shaped examples with blue glaze finish; 12 square ones with a step to each corner, white glaze finish with design of turquoise roundels and dark blue stars; ten similar stepped half-tiles; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 3.7 kg total, 67.5 x 49.7 cm

Fine condition.

Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

A bronze seal pendant in the form of an eagle with spread wings, with suspension loop to reverse; accompanied by a typed and signed scholarly note by W.G. Lambert, the late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: '...This has the shape of a heraldic eagle: head sideways at the top, wings spread out, and tail feathers down. The face is flat and the eagle shape is hollowed out away from the edges. The back is generally convex, and has a big loop handle attached. The seal comes from west-central Asia and dates to c.2300-2000 B.C. It is an attractive piece and is in very good condition.' 13.6 grams, 28 mm



1980s-early 1990s collection, UK. Accompanied by an original typed and signed scholarly note issued by the late Professor W.G. Lambert.

A mixed group of artefacts composed of bone, stone and ceramic objects: a fragmentary alabastron; a lion head stamp; a possible amulet of axehead form showing carved detailing; bone implement; the lower half of a carved bone figure, and other items. 449 grams total, 3.9-12.5 cm



Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private collection since 1998.