Western Asiatic Grey Stone Mortar

Comprising: hexafoil strap- or belt-fitting with panels of scrolled tendrils and reserved petals, reverse damaged; tongue-shaped hollow strap-end with openwork arabesque finial, bands of scrolled tendrils to obverse, incised arabesque to reverse; two rectangular belt mounts each with openwork obverse, hanged looped fitting to lower edge; four discoid mounts with three pierced lugs; two triangular plaques with openwork scrolled tendril design, pin to each angle; spherical dangle; ribbed scaphoid dangle; openwork hoop with scrolled tendrils; annular mount with ropework motif to obverse. 45 grams total, 9-49 mm



Mr M.B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1980s. Private collection, London. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr. Jack Ogden of Strptwist Ltd, reference 190623 with description of the items and the techniques used to produce them, and the metallic composition of the gold (56.36% to 64.25% on the items tested).

Tabular in form with transverse piercing, underside with intaglio winged sphinx beneath a crescent; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 6.5 grams, 21 mm



Ex S. collection, London, UK, 1980s-2000s. Accompanied by a previous illustrated catalogue slip.

A finely modelled two-humped camel, shown in a dynamic pose, possibly in the act of kneeling and balancing its body weight on its bent back and front legs; mounted in a display frame. 245 grams total, 17.5 cm including frame



Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s. Property of a London gentleman.

Camels were a symbol of wealth and well-being. The importance of the Bactrian camel is attested in the ancient sources. The two-humped Bactrian camel, object of many seal representations, was already widespread in North India during the first quarter of the 2nd millennium B.C. It was probably an Aryan introduction. The Mitanni came from Bactria and Margiana and maintained a close connection with their regions of origin, via Khorasan, as can be suggested by the presence of Bactrian camels on the Mitanni seals.