Sumerian Stone Pyxis in Veined Black and White Stone

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 Cream Stone. 24 x 12 mm. The design, which is put between upper and lower rulings, shows a walking bull facing a stylized sacred tree: a straight trunk with five-branch crown, surrounded by scalloped line supporting seven leaves. There is a rhomb between bull and tree, and a star and Maltese cross above the bull's back. This is a Neo-Assyrian seal, c.800-600 B.C. It is one of the rarer types, deeply cut, and in good condition. The bull and the tree are both symbols of the storm god Adad, who had an important place in the Neo-Assyrian pantheon. The star is the symbol of Ishtar/Venus, also an important Assyrian deity, but the Maltese cross is so far not certainly identified.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 5.78 grams, 24 mm



From the private collection of a North American lady, formed 1970s-early 1990s, with collection reference no.590/2. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert. 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.

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 Black Stone, 31 x 19 mm. The scene consist of three figures: on the left is a god, marked out by his horned tiara, and sitting on an angular stool generally thought to represent a temple facade. Facing him is a human seated on a more practical seat, with crossing legs. Each holds a straw to a pot in the middle, from which they are or will be drinking. Behind the god stands an attendant with one hand raised. For a terminal there is a stylised tree. This is an old Akkadian drinking scene, c. 2300-2200 B.C., from Mesopotamia or south-west Iran. It is an important example because normally both figures look either divine or human, but here one, is clearly divine and the other human. The drink in the pot is beer, and straws were used because it was not strained, and all the husks of the barley were in the liquid, and were strained out by the straws.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 22.5 grams, 31 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in January 1992. 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.

Globular in profile with stub neck; two panels of incised concentric rings to the equator. 3 kg, 25.5 cm



From a West London, UK, collection, 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.