Western Asiatic Gold Double Bulb Earrings

Hollow-formed head of a bull with short curved horns, large bulbous eyes, lateral scooped ears, short muzzle with flared nostrils, dewlap beneath; possibly from a rhyton; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 1.3 kg total, 22 cm high including stand

Excellent condition, very rare.

Acquired between 1980-1983. From the collection of a London, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12019-213616.

The rhyton was dipped into a krater and held above the drinker's mouth with the spout covered by a thumb, then opened to release a stream of wine into the mouth. The bull was a symbol of man’s control over the nature. Not only were these heads used to serve wine in the banquets, but they were also destined to hold blood from sacrificial animals, that was collected and then poured on the ground as a libation.

Modelled as a duck with its head resting along its voluminous back, base engraved with a crescent, dots, lines and triangles. 11.8 grams, 28 mm



Collected from 1969-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.

There are references to keeping ducks in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia from the third millennium B.C. onwards. One of the most common shapes for Near Eastern weights was 'the sleeping duck'. Representation demonstrates that the duck served chiefly as a meat source, even though a certain cultic significance must also be presumed: the crescent here engraved could be connected with the cult of Ishtar.

Rectangular slab with reserved symbols in three columns to one face, reverse plain. 314 grams, 11.9 cm



Ex Oriental Dar Antiques, Jerusalem, 1967. European private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12094-211937.