Western Asiatic Stone Cylinder Seal Group

A late Kushan or Hephthalites Dynasty discoid pendant with a female deity, possibly Nana, at the centre holding a lotus flower in her right hand, hair elaborately dressed and wearing large earrings, necklace and bracelets; enclosed by a border of stylised bull heads and a double-plaited border, the outer edge with raised bosses; later applied polygonal suspension loop with granulated collars and an oval garnet cabochon. 22.11 grams, 71 mm



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.13021-246776.

Nana (Kushan Greek: Νανα, Ναναια, Ναναϸαο, Sogdian Nni) was a Bactrian female deity, a variation of the pan-Asian Nana, a fusion of the Sumero-Babylonian Inanna-Ishtar with a local deity, in her Kushan form with the local (Zoroastrian) Harakhvati Aredvi Sura Anahita. Such syncretism was common among Kušan deities. She was an important patron deity in the Kushan Empire and the most important deity worshipped by Emperor Kaniška (c. 127-150 A.D.).

An unfinished court scene with seated figure in profile wearing a tall headdress facing a kneeling figure with arms bent; lightly incised, with space for cuneiform text; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 16.41 grams, 32 mm



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

Comprising a cross-shaped body with a small loop on the reverse, 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, 39 x 38 x 12 mm. This bears the shape of the design, with flat compartmented face and flat back on which is mounted a loop handle for suspension. The design is a quadrate cross with small square in the middle, and to the end of each arm is added a rough oblong shape. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is generally in good condition, only the handle is worn and the outer edges are also a little worn in two places.' 17.1 grams, 39 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 U-388, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert.