Western Asiatic Cosmetic Glass Vessel

Plano-convex in profile with a lightly inscribed antique legend to domed face (including Arabic name and numeral '1298'); underside with reserved figure of a bird with wings spread. 28.7 grams, 36.5 mm



With Artemis Gallery, Munich, 1980s. Acquired from Artemis Gallery, November 1992. European private collection.

Modelled in the round, depicting the (severed?) head of a Mesopotamian demon, with iconic facial features in relief; hollow with a vent to the neck; produced from a two-piece mould, with a median seam through the facial features. 191 grams, 87 mm



Private collection, Israel. with Holy Land House of Antiquities, Jerusalem, 1980s. Acquired by the current owner from the above, 2001. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12878-241678.

Within traditional Mesopotamian religion, Humbaba was a creature regarded as the guardian of the cedar forest and the brother of Pazuzu. He was represented as a giant who had been raised by the sun god, Shamash. However, this head could also refer to another deity or demon, like one of the heads found in the Kish excavations.

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.