Western Asiatic Steatite Cylinder Seal with Deer and Scorpion

Eagle-shaped seal matrix with a large loop on the back, 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 Bronze, 25 x 21.5 x 1mm. This bears the shape of the design, with flat compartmented face and flat back of which is mounted a loop handle of metal rod. The design shows a heraldic eagle with two heads: heads at the top sideways, wings hanging beneath, and tail feathers spread at the bottom. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is a rare type (the double-headed eagle) and in very good condition save for a nick at the bottom.' 9.51 grams, 25 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Ex property of a West London businessman. Academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly report, numbered V-850, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert.

Drum-shaped steatite vessel with broad flat rim; low-relief frieze to the outer face: dense vegetation panels with hatched treetrunks and fronds, resting quadrupeds, each with the legs folded beneath the body. 5.3 kg, 24.5 cm wide



Acquired by a Swiss family in the mid-1980s to late 1990s, thence by descent. Private collection, Switzerland, since the late 1990s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13026-246787.

In Mesopotamia ancient stone-carvers produced a variety of vessels from soft soapstone (steatite) and pale yellow alabaster, along with jewellery. They include cylindrical boxes, cups, high open-rim vases and a few globular jars. Among it the most prominent products were the cups with tall, slender stalks, apparently intended for religious purposes. The repertoire of motifs of the ‘Intercultural Style’ includes vegetal, architectural, and abstract or naturalistic representations of people and animals, depicted in a carved and inlaid technique.

Carved from agate with horizontal contrasting banding, with a later ellipsoid gold cap to each finial. 1.26 grams, 19 mm



From the collection of a late Japanese gentleman, 1970s onwards.