Urartu Copper Figure of a Goddess

Bifacial Master of Animals motif atop a collared tubular stem with flared foot; comprising two addorsed rams with their forelegs tied together; two addorsed birds standing on the rams' backs looking towards two birds' heads facing downwards and joined to slender crescentic boars with ridged backs and gaping mouths, each in the grip of the Master standing crowned between them; the Master with tubular body, animal-like ears, prominent nose above a small mouth and wearing collars, neck rings and tiered headdress; waisted socket below; mounted on a display stand. 930 grams total, 43 cm including stand



Acquired in Iran, 1967. Private collection, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12824-241323. 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.

According to current knowledge, one type of Luristan standards consisted of two symmetrical animal figures standing upright on their hind legs and facing each other with an anthropomorphic character at the centre. Like the "zoomorphic standards", the "zoomorphic standards with a human head" and the "idols", this type has two faces, which means that it was conceived to be viewed from all sides.

Glazed hemispherical bowl with deep basal ring, painted scroll and dot decoration to the inner face, punched decoration to the outer face, old inked label 'XIII cnt, 750'; repaired. 203 grams, 15.3 cm wide



From the private family collection of Ersula Barter-Hemmerich, the longest serving member of staff working at the United Nations, her private collection formed in the 1950s and 1960s; thence by descent to her grandson. 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.

With standing figure, sphinx and horned animal, restrung pair of red stone beads, old handwritten label '1629'; 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 Hematite, 19 x 7.5 mm. On the right stands a human figure in a hat with broad brim and wearing a robe to the feet. In one hand he holds an elaborate mace, no doubt the symbol of a deity. On the left is a reared up sphynx with raised wings and resting its front paws on the head of a recumbent horned animal. between the tops of the horns is a star. Two other filling motifs are: a dot and something like the horned animal's head with a long line rising above it. The design is put between upper and lower rules. This is a Mitanni 'elaborate style' seal, c. 1500-1200 B.C. It is in fine condition and is an interesting specimen of its type.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 4.6 grams, 19 mm



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