Western Asiatic Amber-Coloured Prayer Beads

Comprising: a hollow sheet-silver panel formed as two comma-shaped stylised bovine bodies, each with transverse hatched bands at the ankles and perforations for attachment of studs; at centre top, a bull's head modelled in the round with long curved horns; loop to the reverse. 67.7 grams, 10.7 cm



with Mahboubian Gallery, New York, acquired prior to 1969. London, UK, collection. 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.12710-235586. 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.

Carved in the round with its legs tucked underneath the body, stylised head with large almond-shaped eyes and incised details to the muzzle, large hump to the neck. 86 grams, 59 mm



From a collection formed before 1988, London and Geneva. 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.

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: 'Two standing gods face a complex scene. The first deity is a Lamma goddess, in horned tiara, long flounced robe, and she is raising both hands. Behind her stands the god with mace: hat with deep brim, clothes to the knees, and holding his mace at the waist. What they are witnessing is a standing monster: general build of a lion, but wings, a brush tail and talons of a bird of prey for legs. Its head is leaning down. Above it stands a god in long robe and long tiara, with one leg projecting and foot resting on some strange being. The god holds a whip over one shoulder and forked lightning in the other hand. Facing him in the distance is a small walking figure holding up some object. A two-line cuneiform inscription names two gods: Adad and Shala. This is an Old Babylonian seal, c. 1900-1600 B.C. It is somewhat worn, but the design is rare for the animal and god above it. This god is Adad, the storm god, identified by whip, forked lightning, and the animal on which he stands, which was passed down to the Old Babylonian period from the Akkad period. Thus the design is of considerable interest. Shala was the wife of Adad.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 15.9 grams, 30 mm



From the private collection of a North American lady, formed 1970s-early 1990s, with collection reference no.P105. 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.