Urartu Bronze Four-Way Bridle Strap Junction

Each plano-convex in section with ring-and-dot eyes. 9.91 grams, 69.77-76.04 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Rectangular-section tapering body with a short tang with cuneiform text to one side translating to: '(belonging to) the Palace of Ipiq-Adad'. 260 grams, 36 cm



UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13259-253470.

There were three kings of the name Ipiq-Adad, kings of the city Eshnunna in the Diyala region of Mesopotamia in the early Old Babylonian period. Eshnunna was an ancient Sumerian (and later Akkadian) city and city-state 12.6 miles northwest of Tell Agrab​. Although situated in the Diyala Valley northwest of Sumer proper, the city nonetheless belonged securely within the Sumerian cultural milieu. Ipiq-Adad II was the son of Ibal-pi-el I, king of Eshnunna. Upon his ascent, he used the title ensi; later in his reign, he shifted to describing himself as lugal (king). He was the first ruler of Eshnunna to use the term lugal since Shu-iliya. Inscriptions also refer to him as ​'king who enlarges Eshnunna​', ​'shepherd of the black-headed people​', and ​'king of the universe​'. He oversaw a great expansion of the state and laid the foundation for Eshnunna to become a regional power. The spearhead belongs to the category of bipartite pikes (Gernez classification L 1.A.a). It is the simplest category of spearheads. The butt consisted solely of a widening located at the junction between the point and the tang. The tang was inserted into the handle up to the butt. The wood, split and/or hollowed out to allow for the passage of the tang, was then secured with a cord or strap wrapped around it, probably up to the base of the blade, thus ensuring its stability.

With incuse frieze; accompanied by 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 Hematite 26 x 13. The scene consists of two pairs of figures. In the one pair the noon-god Sin is seated on an angular stool, with small footstool. He is wearing a horned tiara and long flounced robe, and holds up a pole with the lunar crescent on the top. In front of him stands a Lahmu-hero, nude save for a triple-stranded belt, with big beard and curls either side of his face, clasping his hands. The other pair consists of a standing god in horned tiara and long pleated robe open at the front, from which one leg projects with foot resting on a snake-dragon. This god holds up a wedge in one hand. Facing him is a worshiper in a long pleated robe, offering in his arms a kid to the god. There is one filler: a large fly. This is an Old Babylonian seal, from Mesopotamia, c. 1900-1700 B.C. It is in good condition, and is an interesting example of its type; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 11.86 grams, 25 mm



Private collection, London, UK. Accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1992.