Western Asiatic Cobalt-Blue Footed Bowl

A miniature male head with high eyebrows, large eyes, and protruding nose and mouth; traces of polychrome; inked collector's number '46' on the back; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 76 grams total, 92 mm including stand



Collection of Ambassador G.P., Nr.203, before 1965. with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland. 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.

Representing a god in short mantle and round cap with upturned brim, holding a mace in his left hand, before him a goddess standing in a horned crown and kaunakes, her hands raised in supplication; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 8.96 grams, 27 mm



Ex Mr J.K. collection, USA. Acquired from the above, 1997. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12581-232131. 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.

The seals of the First Isin Dynasty were much more varied than those just preceding the Third Dynasty of Ur. Often the chief god - probably Shamash - is standing, and the 'introducing' goddess is facing him, while the worshipper is not pictured. The seals are a mine for the understanding of the old Babylonian costume. The tunic of the female goddess here is made of tufted material that the Greeks called kaunakes, the weave of which imitated the effect of the earlier sheepskin costumes.

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: 'Cylinder Seal of Hematite, 19 x 11.5 mm. The major part of the design consist of a seated figure, no doubt a god, holding up one hand in greeting to a standing figure, meant as a human worshipper, who similarly hold up one hand. Between them is a table with elegant legs on which rests a pile of breads. Above this is a motif probably intended as a stylized bull's head. The minor part of the design consists of a row of five walking men, the first raising one hand, the last carrying a crook over his shoulder. This is a Syrian seal, c. 1900-1700 B.C. and though the stone is somewhat worn, the design is fully clear.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 7.5 grams, 18 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in August 1991. 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.