Western Asiatic Bronze Ring with Calligraphic Inscription

Ellipsoid loop developing to a short shank, biconvex bulb with eight vents and four stub arms, short shank below and lentoid loop with stub arms; possibly a liturgical thurible censer. 31 grams, 75 mm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Comprising a large quantity of variously shaped beads in lapis lazuli, carnelian, agate, glass and other materials. 87.1 grams total, 2-21 mm



UK gallery, early 2000s.

Glass is the premier bead material. Invented in the Middle East around 2500 B. C., glass making spread slowly. There are mainly two types of beads, drawn beads (when the tubes are cut in a short segments, which are usually agitated over heat to smooth off the sharp edges) or wound beads (made by wrapping molten glass around a rock, stick or wire. Once the bead is built up, it can be further pressed or paddled into shape, placed in a mold, or decorated with other colours of glass.

Complete and of irregular pyramidal form, containing clay 'tokens'; the outer face impressed with enigmatic motifs. 19.8 grams, 32 mm



Specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1988. 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 early 1990s. The collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples. Accompanied by an illustrated two page previous cataloguing document.