Western Asiatic Rolled Aramaic Lead Magical Text Scroll

Comprising two conjoined kidney-shaped cells decorated with applied trails, extending to a single short neck with everted rim, discoid foot to the base and an applied handle to the shoulder; containing free flowing liquid and congealed organic substance to both cells. 90 grams, 11.1 cm



with Christie's, London, Islamic Art, 16 October 2001, no.285. Private collection, Europe. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12432-226701. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Many objects of this type were made in Syrian and Mesopotamian workshops and under both Eastern Roman and Sassanid domination. The type was probably already produced in the workshops of the Roman Empire, but it lasted until the early Islamic Period.

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: ' Cylinder Seal of Cream Stone. 24 x 12 mm. The design, which is put between upper and lower rulings, shows a walking bull facing a stylized sacred tree: a straight trunk with five-branch crown, surrounded by scalloped line supporting seven leaves. There is a rhomb between bull and tree, and a star and Maltese cross above the bull's back. This is a Neo-Assyrian seal, c.800-600 B.C. It is one of the rarer types, deeply cut, and in good condition. The bull and the tree are both symbols of the storm god Adad, who had an important place in the Neo-Assyrian pantheon. The star is the symbol of Ishtar/Venus, also an important Assyrian deity, but the Maltese cross is so far not certainly identified.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 5.78 grams, 24 mm



From the private collection of a North American lady, formed 1970s-early 1990s, with collection reference no.590/2. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Fragment of a pillow-shaped tablet, cuneiform text to both broad faces and one edge. 58.8 grams, 50 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. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.