Western Asiatic Rock Crystal Gemstone

Pillow-shaped tablet with a Sumerian hymn to Sin-idinam, king of Larsa (1849-1843 BC), reading: '5-6 (the gods) granted him to exercise, in a sublime manner, kingship and the priestly office. 7-8 They made him sit upon a seat whose foundation is firm, a radiant throne ... 9-10 Once he had firmly secured the crown and the sublime radiance upon his head. 11 Sin, the firstborn son of Enlil, 12 bestowed upon him a sublime name. 13 Utu, the great judge of the universe, 14 caused law and justice to be established for him]. 15 The praise Sumer [...] ... 16 The vast and shining wisdom ...' 163 grams, 83 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. This small collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well-preserved examples. Accompanied by a translation by M. Guichard. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13269-253330.

Old Babylonian tablets were found in regular excavations from Khafaje and Kish, although, even today, the main body came from dealers. A definite date can be assigned to them only based on internal evidence. The scripts of the tablets vary a good deal: some tablets are written in archaic cursive, others in younger cursive, still others mix archaic and younger sign forms.

Penannular in form and round in section with clubbed ends, three incised gussets below each finial. 42.88 grams, 73 mm



From the collection of Contessa L.G., assembled in the 1980s. Private collection, acquired in Switzerland in 1999. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13200-249217.

The bracelet resembles a specimen found in Persepolis, in the Treasury, room 65, made from plain bronze wire. If the Achaemenid bracelets are characterised by their extremities shaped like goats or other wild animals, simpler gold bracelets existed, used abundantly by children and women, and also by royal courtiers and even slaves.

Comprising a biconvex body and broad flaring mouth, with circumferential impressed lines to the outer face. 729 grams, 19 cm



From the collection of a gentleman, 1988-2000s.