Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Collection

Representing an exquisite bull figure standing with his head turned dramatically to the left, depicted with large curled horns and inlaid white stone eyes, formed from thin hammered silver sheet in repoussé, depicting the bull as a hollow pendant, with the interior filled with natural bitumen; traces of an original suspension loop on the shoulder. 54.5 grams, 70 mm wide



with Mahboubian Gallery, New York, acquired prior to 1969. 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.13140-249434.

Objects of this type are understood to be ritual or votive pendants, produced not for everyday wear but primarily for dedication in temple contexts. Bulls, goats, rams and other herd animals with horns were thematically abundant in the Ancient Near East, especially around the Iranian plateau circumscribed by the Zagros and Elbruz Mountains and multiple deserts. There are representations of bulls as pendants or votive statuettes (Mahboubian,1997, pp.59, 213, 224, 225, 225, 235, 240), vessel stands (Mahboubian, 1997, pp.40-41), vessel protomes and rhytons from Mesopotamia to Caucasus.

A pillow-shaped tablet, with cuneiform text to the broad faces and an edge, reading: '36 sar of orchard, planted with palm trees, next to Batuli and next to Kutanum, Sin-pilah bought from Bedi-el. He paid its full price 10... of silver. He swore in the name of the king that in the future no one would dispute. Before ... Before Sîn Dayan In front of Naqimum In front of Damu In front of Munakum In the month of Kislimu, the 4th year of the priest of Nanna.' 39 grams, 47 mm



Ex private collection. with Bonhams, Antiquities, London, 21 October 1999, no.260 (Part). Private central European collection. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12244-219769.

Mixed group of fusiformed beads. 254 grams total, 28-45 mm



Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, England.