Western Asiatic Bronze Leaping Horned and Winged Lion

Including biconvex, annular, spherical and other types, some with granulation. 7.31 grams total, 1-10 mm



Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970s-2000s.

Pillow-shaped with cuneiform text to both broad faces and one long edge; part of one face absent. 58 grams, 58 mm



From specialised collection of cuneiform texts, formed in the 1950s-1990s. The property of a London gentleman and housed in London, thence by descent to family members. Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and 1990s. The collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples.

A finely hammered bowl, the surface punched with vegetal and zoomorphic decoration comprising standing rams or mouflons enclosed within a circle, spear-shaped leaves separating the figures, low foot; the engraving possibly later. 800 grams, 37 cm wide



UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. 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.12169-220737.

The plate exhibits a typical hammered form, and was probably reinforced with an organic base. The subject of the decoration, rams or mouflons with the head facing right or left, is a theme found on Sassanid art and is also visible on a decorated silver and gilt vessel of the Sackler Gallery collection (Gunter, Jett, no.21). Decoration in the form of such animal enclosed in a medallion appears in the central exterior roundel of a silver bowl in the Detroit Institute of Arts (Grabar, 1967, p.125, no.41).