West Central Asian Bronze Seal Matrix with 'Eyes'

Discoid stamp seal with segmented face; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 41 x 41 x 13 mm. This is round with flat face and flat back, on which a handle of inverted V-shape is mounted. The design is both compartmented and open-work. It consists of a central square which is joined to an outer band by struts: straight ones from the middle of each side of the square, short ones ending in crescents from the tips of the square. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is in very good condition.' 19 grams, 41 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Ex property of a West London businessman. Academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly report, numbered R-690, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert.

Architectural fragment with rectangular band to one edge, carved decorative detailing with inscription. 7.85 kg, 32.6 cm



Private collection, Europe, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1980s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12521-231989.

Amid the many architectural, sculptural, and textual riches of Assyria and Mesopotamia, the broken pieces of basalt bearing fragmentary cuneiform inscriptions have received little attention, but are of fundamental importance. Despite being quite fragmentary, these broken pieces of basalt are the remains of an important witness to the Assyrian imperial presence in the Near East.

Penannular armband with shallow D-section hoop and terminals formed as stylised ram-heads, each with exaggerated coiled horns, circular eyes set with cream-coloured beads and shallow semi-circular muzzles; transverse bands of geometric motifs along the neck. 616 grams, 10.4 cm



with a London, UK gallery 1971-early 2000s. Private collection, London, UK.

The bracelet is a product of the Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex ('BMAC', also developed from the 'Oxus Civilisation'), which was the dominant culture in the 3rd and 2nd millennium (often dated to c. 2250-1700 B.C.) in that area, corresponding roughly to modern Tajikistan and Afghanistan. The members of the group practised animal husbandry and a limited form of agriculture, with wheeled carts from the 4th millennium B.C. Its craftsmen were proficient at working metals and alloys, including bronze, copper, silver, and gold. Fortified sites with multiple walls are another notable BMAC development.