Western Asiatic Silver Amuletic Pendant Pair

Spherical, undecorated bulla envelope containing clay tokens. 74 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. Accompanied by a previous cataloguing slip.

Small globular and hollow 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. Bullae first emerged in Mesopotamia, and their earliest occurrence can be traced to circa 8000 B.C. Most known decorated bullae come from the Uruk area and offer an insight into its culture.

Circular stamp seal with segmented face; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Silver 45 x 45 x 19 mm. This is round with notched outer edge, flat face and flat back on which is mounted a handle of inverted U-shape. The design is compartmented and consists of kind of four-armed cross with four small circles at its centre and more (drilled) circles along the arms, which diminish in width toward the edges. This comes from West Central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is heavy and generally in good condition. The incrustation on the surface could be removed.' 67.1 grams, 45.5 mm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. Accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor W.G. Lambert with reference no.W.861.

Plano-convex in section with lightly incised geometric motif to underside. 18.52 grams, 27.58 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.