Western Asiatic Gold 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.

With frieze depicting a king and a suppliant goddess approaching the goddess Ishtar and a faint two-lined cuneiform inscription; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 10.6 grams, 28 mm



Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 25 April 2001, lot 504 (haematite) and 513 (part). with Petit Musée, Montreal, acquired at the above sale; thence by descent. Property of an East Sussex, UK, gentleman.

Comprising two diamond-section penannular hoops with loops; each with three granulated pyramids to the lower edge; the centre of the hoop with a triple-cell set with one green and two red glass (?) gems with granulated outer edges, flanked by two teardrop-shaped cells set with a red glass (?) gem. 2.76 grams total, 19-21 mm



From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.