Western Asiatic Terracotta Dipper Cup

Broad and squat with impressed guilloche below the inner rim, repoussé frieze with fleeing ibex attacked by a gryphon and kneeling archer to the rear; central rosette; seven incised characters to inner face and four to outer face. 277 grams, 15.5 cm



Saleh family collection, Germany, formed prior to 1972. Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12809-241324.

The presence of decorated bronze bowls during the later Pre-Islamic period, mainly in the territories of the modern Emirates, is well documented. Many decorated bowls and bowl fragments were discovered at Mleiha; one or more possible fragments were found at ed-Dur, and a single bowl comes from a Pre-Islamic period C tomb in Dibba. They are also similar to the so-called Phoenician - or, more correctly, Levantine - bowls produced in the 9th-early 7th century B.C. They combine local Levantine elements with imagery borrowed from Mesopotamia and Egypt, and local Arabian themes, such as camel and horse riding, often composed in radial zones.

Modelled in the round as two figures embracing, the upper figure with a pseudo inscription to the back; mounted on a custom-made stand. 380 grams total, 13.3 cm including stand



Formerly in the collection of Mr K. Ex collection of Mr H., acquired in Switzerland in the early 2000s. Private collection, Switzerland, acquired in 2010. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12875-241696.

Through trade the religion of Pre-Islamic Arabian Peninsula was subject to a certain measure of foreign influence, which is demonstrated by the discovery of some outstanding bronze statuettes of obvious mythical or religious character in various localities, for example at Qaryat al-Fau. The most important statuettes include a representation of Harpocrates, son of the Goddess Isis (goddess of fertility), Minerva (goddess of wisdom), and a statuette of a dolphin which is known to have been regarded in Graeco-Roman and Nabataean mythology as a symbol of protection.

Standing figure with applied eyes and beaked nose, hatched collar, arms bent with hands flat on the chest; heavily restored. 62.7 grams, 15.5 cm



From a private St. Albans, UK, collection, formed 1960s-1990s.