Western Asiatic Gold Floral Earrings

Mainly square-section and tubular types. 47 grams, 91 cm long



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

Conical foundation nail fragment with broad domed top, columns of cuneiform text to the shank. 322 grams, 96 mm



Acquired in London in 1995. European private collection.

Temple nails or cones were placed in the foundations of newly-built temples. Their form imitates nails or pegs and they bear inscriptions stating the name of the reigning king and regnal year, and the god(s) to whom the temple was dedicated.

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.