Western Asiatic Schist Votive Offering Table

The bow decorated with circumferential grooves, one arm ending with the partially preserved wire coil; the catchplate in the form of a hand engraved with an X; accompanied by a display frame with information ticket. 186 grams total, 10 x 10.3 cm including frame



Ex Robin Symes Gallery, London, UK, 1990s. From a Leicestershire, UK, collection.

Fibulae with triangular bows (type 3 of Curtis classification) were the most common in Assyria. At least 66 bronze examples have been found at Nimrud, 32 in the graves and tombs at Ashur, 14 at Kouyunjik (some of them represented only by fragments), three at Nebbi Yunus, six at Khorsabad, three at Sharif Khan, all fragmentary, and single examples at Tell Billa and Tell al Rimah.

Restrung group of graduated annular trade beads in various materials. 23.9 grams, 62 cm long



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

Comprising a large quantity of variously shaped beads in lapis lazuli, carnelian, agate, glass and other materials. 87.1 grams total, 2-21 mm



UK gallery, early 2000s.

Glass is the premier bead material. Invented in the Middle East around 2500 B. C., glass making spread slowly. There are mainly two types of beads, drawn beads (when the tubes are cut in a short segments, which are usually agitated over heat to smooth off the sharp edges) or wound beads (made by wrapping molten glass around a rock, stick or wire. Once the bead is built up, it can be further pressed or paddled into shape, placed in a mold, or decorated with other colours of glass.