Western Asiatic Stone Vessel

Fragments of a monochrome lustreware footed bowl; the tondo with dense figural scene including (i) left, four females wearing patterned burqa garments beneath a wreath of floral panels; (ii) right, mounted male in riding jacket on an advancing bridled horse with attendant to his rear holding a fan, hunting dog beneath the horse's legs and an attendant in striped clothing walking beore the horse carrying a spear or pole-arm over his shoulder; (iii) above the pearberaer, two bearded figures in patterned robes watching the horseman; border with reserved calligraphic Kufic text above a band of cursive writing; pellets to the rim; outer face with reserved arcade, dense arabesque scrolls and rosettes; mounted in a plain modern ceramic matrix. 414 grams, 21.3 cm wide



Private collection, UK.

Comprising a shallow body with sharply sloping walls and wide, everted rim. 712 grams, 19.5 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

Zoomorphic stamp with loop handle to 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. 27.5x35x13 mm. This bears the shape of what is depicted. The face is flat and compartmented, and the back is flat also with look of sheet metal for suspension. The design shows the face of a horned quadruped frontally, with drooping ears and stout horns, but with one big central eye. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is a rare design and in good condition.' 12.5 grams, 31 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.