Western Asiatic Cream Stone Bead Necklace String

Tongue-shaped panel with integrally-moulded facing female bust, hair in radiating braids, transverse headband, lateral plaits, exaggerated lentoid eyes; plain to reverse. 17.7 grams, 42 mm



From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent. Accompanied by the original collector's data sheet(s) with reference no.A82.

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.

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.

With a thick looped body and striking face to the outer edge; handle formed in openwork with stylised serpent-head, open mouth with recurved teeth, trident tail with similar pellet clusters; engraved and drilled detailing. 297 grams, 11.5 cm



Acquired Christie's, The Longridge Collection, London, UK, 2010 (£1,276.00). Personal collection of a Suffolk lady, UK.

Among the objects reflecting the continuation of traditional figural compositions in Indo-Iranian art, there are zoomorphic flint strikers, decorated with serpents, ducks or geese and hawks attacking birds, indicating the persistence of imperial and solar symbols.