Western Asiatic Vessel with Eyes

A group of two silver rimonim or Torah finials, each comprising a spherical body with conical finial and tapering cylindrical socket, medial band of dangles with inscription above, embossed and chased stylised floral and foliate motifs to body and socket. 734 grams total, 27 cm each



From a UK private collection.

A large clay tablet fragment bearing panels of cuneiform text to the principal face, separated by plain parallel lines; remains of cuneiform text to the reverse; a Babylonian treatise concerning the study of the liver of a sacrificial lamb; repaired. 533 grams, 15.6 cm wide



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. The collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples.

The prophetic practise of hepatoscopy, was called in Akkadian barûtu, the art of divination. It is a collection of omens in standard Akkadian (including many sumerograms) each composed of a protasis (description of the configuration of the organ at the time of observation by the diviner) followed by the apodosis giving the omen itself. The fragment preserves the beginning of the treaty on the face and the end on the reverse. Among the various omens is a so-called historical one concerning King Sargon of Akkad (ca. 2350 BCE). A colophon indicates that the text is a copy of an ancient original. The name of the scribe is Mudammiq-Adad. His work was verified by Ur-Nintinuga, a Sumerian name from the Cassite period.

A bronze calotte-shaped cauldron or basin with collared rectangular handles featuring scalloped grips along the upper edges, a pair of stylised bird of prey protomes beneath each, talons drawn up to their chests, bulging eyes, prominent hooked beaks, wings spread and fan-shaped tails. 679 grams, 23.5 cm wide



Ex Maurice Braham, 1970s. London collection, 1990s. Accompanied by previous typed and illustrated catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11640-199105.

A rare object. The limited number of parallels feature birds of a more schematic style. Only four published parallel cauldrons with bird protomes are known to exist. Given the quality of the ornament, such basis may have been used by members of the elite in Iron Age Iranian society, although their exact functions remains unclear. One 'orientalised' Etruscan bronze cauldron was found used as a cremation vessel, placed in a tumulus and associated with a localised 'heroic' burial context. Other feasible uses include high status drinking vessels or symbols of rank.