Western Asiatic Polished Bronze Bowl

Frieze including two standing attendants in flounced floor-length robes before a laden table and a seated figure in similar robes, the seated figure drinking from a vessel through a drinking pipe, behind him a stag with a small animal between its legs, a border of pellets above and below; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 21.9 grams, 40 mm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

Comprising a sharply tapering lower body, parallel-sided upper body and rounded rim; decorated in dark brown with thirteen square panels with central saltire on a hatched field; repaired. 17 kg, 64 cm high



with Mahboubian Gallery, London, UK, 1974. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12972-245238.

Modelled in the round, depicting the (severed?) head of a Mesopotamian demon, with iconic facial features in relief; hollow with a vent to the neck; produced from a two-piece mould, with a median seam through the facial features. 191 grams, 87 mm



Private collection, Israel. with Holy Land House of Antiquities, Jerusalem, 1980s. Acquired by the current owner from the above, 2001. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12878-241678.

Within traditional Mesopotamian religion, Humbaba was a creature regarded as the guardian of the cedar forest and the brother of Pazuzu. He was represented as a giant who had been raised by the sun god, Shamash. However, this head could also refer to another deity or demon, like one of the heads found in the Kish excavations.