Western Asiatic Rock Crystal Animal and Other Artefact Collection

Showing three standing figures dressed in long robes, two columns of cuneiform inscription; 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, 28 x 13 mm. The engraving consists of a scene of three figures (unfinished) and a finished inscription of two lines. The figures are (from right to left), a god with arm lowered and extended (probably meant to be the sun god, Shamash), a central figures probably also meant as a deity, and another deity with one hand raised. A shepherd's crook appears between the figure on the left and the one in the centre, and two symbols have been begun in the sky byt cannot be identified. The inscription reads: ᵈAN-mar-dú dumu an-na, Amurru son of Anum. Amurru was the god of shepherding worshipped by the Babylonians, and the presence of the shepherds' crook in the design could mean that one of the unidentified gods is Amurru, since the crook is the symbol of Amurru. The seal is very clearly of Old Babylonian date, c. 1900-1700 B.C. and comes from ancient Babylonia or one of the closely adjacent regions. It is a standard type, but is interesting in that, being half finished, it shows the way in which Old Babylonian seal cutters set about their work. Hematite is a harder stone than any regularly used before the Old Babylonian period, and the semi-mechanical method of cutting stone used by the ancients enable hard stone to be but more easily than with simple, hand-held tools. Thus the three figures have been begun with the drill and the cutting wheel. Later, had the seal been finished the craftsman would have completed the task with hand-held tools to give a life-like impression to the figures.'; accompanied by a museum quality impression and a of pair of red stone beads. 11.06 grams, 27 mm

1 1/8 in.

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.

A bulla with oval stamped impression of two animals. 147 grams, 60 mm



Specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1988. 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. Accompanied by a copy of a previous catalogue page.

Small globular and hollowed clay balls are defined as 'bulla'. They are also known as ‘bulla-envelopes', some of which are plain and some displaying epigraphic, zoomorphic and/or figural decoration, impressed by either cylinder or stamp seals. Bulla first emerged in Mesopotamia and their earliest occurrence can be traced to circa 8000 B.C. Most know decorated bullae come from the Uruk area and offer an insight into its culture. This bulla represents a religious scene, indicated by the combination of the pyramid-shaped byre and the 'sacred herd', which are seen on the early Uruk seals. The symbol of the Mother-Goddess, presented in conjunction with the representations of sheep herd and byre, gave such imagery symbolic significance. The impression with two sheep depicted under the byre, might have been impressed by a stamp seal of the early Uruk period.

Bell-shaped in profile with geometric design and legend, suspension look to the top. 3.62 grams, 11 mm



Ex London, UK, gentleman 1980-1990s.