Western Asiatic Gold Pendant with Turquoise

Of lentoid cross-section with impressed grid and characters or ideograms, an economic text relating to farm produce written over two faces. 113 grams, 89 mm



Specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1992. 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. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12093-213020.

In banded agate, rectangular body with stepped graduated finials, two pierced suspension lugs. 37.6 grams, 62 mm



Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971.

Modelled in the round standing figure with pinched facial features, transverse collar, applied breasts, arms bent forward, legs close together. 17.7 grams, 83 mm



Private collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent.

The Syro-Hittite states rose to prominence in northern Syria and southern Anatolia (modern Turkey) following the collapse of the Hittite Empire, during which time many such figures were produced and widely distributed for domestic use. Such figures, later pejoratively referred to as 'idols', depicted deities often carrying or standing with animals. The present figure's arms are positioned as if holding a lamb or other small animal.