Western Asiatic Chalcedony Gaming Piece

Paper leaf with hand-painted scene depicting a torture scene: two outer bearded figures wearing turbans and ankle-length robes holding the handles of a frame with spikes; third similar figure kneeling in the middle grasping fourth figure, suspended naked and attached by ropes round his chest and thighs to the frame; blocks of explanatory text in red and black within the scene and outside; edges of leaf chipped; mounted in a glazed wooden frame. 1.06 kg, 45.5 x 35.5 cm



Private collection, UK.

A slender bronze figurine of a standing male with lowered arms, piriform head with bulbous eyes and slit mouth; mounted on a custom-made stand. 18.8 grams total, 65 mm including stand

Fine condition.

From the private collection of a medical professional; formerly part of a collection formed in Toulouse, France, since 1967. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.

These representations in the style of figurines presumably represented household deities who were guardians of the home. In some cases figurines of this type were produced in groups of two or four.

Discoid stamp seal with segmented face; 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. 39x39x12 mm. This is round with flat compartmented face and flat back on which is mounted a broad handle of inverted U-shape. The design consists of a central circle from which eight curving bands spread to the edge, creating a whorl, the bands being hatched. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is in very good condition and the hatching on the base of the compartments is unusual.' 24.5 grams, 39 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.