Western Asiatic Black Stone Cylinder and Stamp Seal with Animal Frieze

Hollow-formed aviform vessel with loop handle and inset glass eyes, lateral loops at the neck. 395 grams, 15.2 cm



UK collection, 1990s. Acquired on the UK art market, before 2000. Private collection, Mr M.V., a London-based businessman.

Zoomorphic stamp with loop handle to the reverse; 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. 27.5x35x13 mm. This bears the shape of what is depicted. The face is flat and compartmented, and the back is flat also with look of sheet metal for suspension. The design shows the face of a horned quadruped frontally, with drooping ears and stout horns, but with one big central eye. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is a rare design and in good condition.' 12.5 grams, 31 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.

Comprising: a lapis lazuli bead with a high-relief figure of a snake in sinuous coils, head poised to strike, with eyes formed as turquoise annular beads; a bronze columnar handle; a tabular banded agate bead; all three bound together by the bronze corrosion products. 50.6 grams, 10 cm



with Gallery Rosen Ancient Art, Tel Aviv, 1968. Ex London, UK gallery, 1971-early 2000s. Accompanied by a copy of the original 1968 invoice.