Syro-Hittite Bronze Figure

With a wide hoop, grooved plaque to each shoulder; raised quatrefoil bezel with ribbing, central starburst motif enclosed within a hatched frame. 15.25 grams, 29.66 mm overall, 17.23 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)



Property of a North American gallery since the 1990s.

With D-shaped body, tapering shank and disc finial. 92 grams, 13 cm



French private collection, formed between the 1960s-1970s. Acquired from Bonhams, London, 23 October 2012, no.204. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages and the original Bonhams lot tag.

Formed as a small circular vessel, the frontal part shaped as a female face, with well-defined nose, eyes and mouth, long hair on the sides framing the face, traces of colour still present on the upper edge. 71 grams, 60 mm



Collected from 1969-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.

Faience objects have been discovered in great numbers at various Middle Assyrian and later sites, including the capitals, provincial and administrative centres as well as small settlements. Functionally, the faience objects can be assigned to a variety of categories, among which vessels, fragments thereof, and jewellery are the most numerous. The vessels are predominantly open-shaped, such as bowls and cups, but miniature bottles, beakers and other types of vessels were also found. Our small cup was probably intended for female toilette usage.