Western Asiatic Openwork Lion Incense Burner

Bearing pictographs to the two principal faces; of pillow-shaped form. 112 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.201149.

The purpose of these items is not known for sure but the combination of pictograms and impressed points has led to the suggestion that they were used for tallying quantities of various commodities.

Hollow-formed with openwork bulbs and interstitial flanges to the shaft; broad discoid platter with raised rim and pierced lobes; tripod base with openwork dome and low-relief scrollwork. 4.4 kg, 59 cm high



with a London, UK gallery 1971-early 2000s.

Of pillow-shaped form, with numerical markings to one face. 47 grams, 53 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.