Western Asiatic Gold Bell-Shaped Pendant

Jar with slightly tapering cylindrical sidewall, flared rim to the mouth; incised hatched band to the shoulder and four pierced lugs. 1.02 kg, 11.7 cm wide



with Gwain McKinley, London, 1980s. Acquired from the above, 1993. Private European collection, thence by family descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12125-218132.

Modelled in the round, with humped shoulder and downturned horns. 60 grams, 83 mm



Private collection Mr S.A., acquired in 1991. Thence by descent.

The figurine was modelled simplistically and only the presence of a hump and horns makes it possible to identify the animal as a zebu, which was common in the prehistoric Mesopotamian world. Similar figurines, which reproduced animals and humans, are typical of Amorite art, named after a group of semi-nomadic populations who lived in the north-western part of the Near East in the 3rd and 2nd millennium B.C. From the 20th century B.C., the incursions and armed pressure that the Amorites exerted on the kingdom of Ur overthrew the existing dynasties and created several kingdoms throughout Mesopotamia whose dynasties retained a strong attachment to their original culture.

Of carinated profile with reserved orange shapes on a field of white pellets on black, roundels with legends; intact. 334 grams, 17.5 cm wide



with a London, UK gallery 1971-early 2000s.