Western Asiatic Jasper Cylinder Seal with Animals

Substantial cast finial of a gryphon in recumbent pose, arched neck and beaked head, diagonal folded wing, legs folded beneath the body; attachment for the pin at the rump. 155 grams, 72 mm



Acquired from Arte Primitivo, New York City, U.S.A., circa 2010. Private collection of Professor Kenneth Graham, London, UK. Accompanied by an original Bonham's catalogue page for an almost identical example.

With frieze depicting a a seated figure holding a vessel in one extended hand, a star, a leaping dog, a nude female facing, two advancing attendants; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 1.57 grams, 10 mm



From an important London, UK, collection, 1970-1990. 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.

Rectangular carved furniture panel with raised frame above and below the central figure modelled in the half-round; the figure an advancing gryphon with head raised and wings spread, hair falling in three locks to the shoulder, tail raised; the wing with raised rims to the feathers forming cells to accept an inlay in contrasting colour; remains of tenons above and below; Phoenician style; mounted on a custom-made stand. 274 grams total, 10 cm wide including stand



Ex Florida collection, purchased from Kelekian, New York, prior to 1970. Acquired by the current owner from the above. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11971-209611.

The figure is shown with the head raised; the example in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is very similar, is eating the flowers of a tiered papyrus plant. Many such plaques were manufactured in workshops at Nimrud, but some may have been plundered from the treasuries of defeated enemies.