Western Asiatic Bronze Amulet of a Deer's Head

Cylinder with cord and bead handles; 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: 'Description of Cylinder Seal of cream/grey stone, 25 x 11.5 mm. Human figure, holding up large fish 9?), faces huge bird, behind which a stag is standing. The whole scene and deep cutting is typically Syrian c. 2600-2300 B.C. Clearly some mythological events are being portrayed, but this is not a common type and so far we cannot explain it. Condition is fine.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 6.6 grams, 25 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in October 1987. 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 round female body and short neck, depicted armless, perforated with two parallel holes at the top for suspension; the edges and the centre embossed with dots. 6.87 grams, 63 mm



From a private family collection formed since the early 19th century, thence by descent. Property of a New Zealand legal professional. 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 search certificate number no.12319-223722. 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.

These idols have a broad chronological and spatial range, with late variants known from Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age burial contexts in central Europe and Western Asia. Some of these idols have round bodies, and heads in the form of tabs. They developed from the earlier stone idols, leading to the representation of the human form becoming even more stylised when crafted in silver or copper.

Carved steatite pendant of a coiled serpent with central hole; lozenge and angled detailing to obverse. 5.68 grams, 26 mm



Private collection, 1999. 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.