Western Asiatic Gilt Bronze Sheet with Chariots

Finely engraved with a religious scene, sun god Shamash seated on a throne with his feet resting on a padded stand, holding a scimitar in his raised left hand and wearing a horned headdress; four bearded deities and a smaller, clean-shaven young male worshipper before him, each of the deities wearing a horned headdress and a pleated garment; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 49.1 grams, 40 mm



From the 'S' collection, acquired 1970-1990s. The collection was seen and studied by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993. Accompanied by a copy of a report from Assyriologist Hui Li. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12539-231427. 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 seal's excellent glyptic techniques, naturalistic depictions of the facial features, and the presented religious scene suggest that this seal might have belonged to a high official.

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 faience, Green, 30 x 15 mm. The designs, which is marked off by a rule above and below, consists of a stag or other such horned animal and three sideways men. The stag [is] half on its haunches, and with its head turned sideways for effect. The three men have match-stick legs, but better-formed bodies and effective heads. The seal is in very good condition. This is a Mitanni common-style seal, c. 1500-1200 B.C., and may have come from a wide area of the Near East, from Palestine, Syria, southern Anatolia or Northern Meesopotamia [sic]'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 8.32 grams total, 8.1-30 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 1990. 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.

A rectangular lead sheet rolled into a tight scroll with the text to the inner face. 31 grams, 58 mm



Collected from 1970-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK. 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 item was possibly meant to be what the Romans called a defixio or 'curse tablet', on which the magical malediction was recorded and then shut away (by being tightly rolled up) so that the victim could not find it or change it.