Western Asiatic Net-Painted Pottery Vase

Carved in the round with vertical suspention hole at the shoulders, curled lateral horns. 13.5 grams, 30 mm



Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, England.

With two rows of human and animal figures; accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Description of Cylinder Seal of Hematite, 20 x 11 mm. Main scene, upper register: goddess exposing herself and holding up plant to far right, before her a human in garment with thick edges, facing these two, three Lammas with both hands raised and a star above their raised hands. Main scene, lower register: nude female between two lions, same nude female between two frontally depicted beardless figures. Minor scene: two seated drinkers, pot of beer with two straws between them; a row of four walking humans; spiral pattern between. Horizontal rules separate some of the groups. Syria, c. 1900-1700 B.C. Condition: some wear and a little chipping at the bottom, but mostly in good condition.'; accompanied by a museum quality impression and a pair of red stone beads. 5.75 grams, 19.80 mm



Private collection, London, UK. Accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993.

Matched pair of bovine-head mounts, each formed as a pair of D-shaped wings and a tail with low-relief feather detailing and holes to accept rivets; central head and neck of a bull with prominent horns, bands of curly hair to the pate and throat, large scaphoid eyes, incised contour detailing to muzzle, socket to reverse. 790 grams total, 8-13 cm wide



From the warehouse of Lane Hope Ltd, London, UK, 1980s (company dissolved December 1991). Private collection, UK; anonymous sale, Gorny & Mosch, Munich, Auction 206, 20 June 2012, no.85. European private collection, acquired at Gorny & Mosch, 2012. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate, no.6210.AM. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Gorny & Mosch catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12696-234610.

The fitting would have been one of four to the rim of a large bronze cauldron. Urartu was centered in eastern Anatolia, around Lake Van; the capital, Tushpa, was located on the eastern shore of the lake, situated on a high and elongated rock outcrop. Most sites boasted a well-built temple situated at the highest point, as well as a number of large storage rooms containing rows of large vessels for storing oil and grains, and massive well-built fortification walls.