Western Asiatic Gold Earring Pair

With thick hoop and opposed animal-heads to the reverse, large ellipsoid bezel with incuse winged bull motif. 34 grams, 30.15 mm overall, 22 x 20.4 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T 1/2, USA 9 3/4, Europe 21.89, Japan 21)



with Pierre Bergé & Associés, Paris, 23 April 2001, no.297 (part). Acquired by an important European family collection. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Pierre Bergé & Associés catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12055-213660.

Complete and of spherical form, containing clay 'tokens'; the outer face impressed with enigmatic motifs. 105 grams, 66 mm



Specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1988. Thence by descent to family members. Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples. Accompanied by a copy of two previous illustrated and typed catalogue pages.

The tokens sealed within the bulla are believed to have been used as part of the accounting process in Sumerian or early Uruk agriculture.

Drum-shaped with narrow disc base, painted frieze of ibexes to the sidewall between concentric lines. 149 grams, 91 mm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.