Western Asiatic Votive Terracotta Dagger

Consisting of five (one absent) long-necked eagle heads facing in opposite directions, the beaked heads with raised eyes, necks decorated with a necklace imitating precious stones; three attachment holes. 44.5 grams, 77 mm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Possibly an applique from a quiver.

Cylinder with cord and bead handles; accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal in Fawn Stone, Concave, 25 x 12.5 mm. The main figures are three; a nude female frontally shown save for her head, which is sideways; facing her a standing figure in a long fringed robe, with one arm awkwardly placed behind him; on the other side of the nude female a kneeling figure holding up a bull by the hind leg. Above the main scene are two browsing quadrupeds, one clearly a stag. Between the nude female and the figure on the left is a head of a horned animal. A second such animal's head above a sideways browsing stag forms a terminal. The whole design is placed between two lines. The seal is Mitanni, c 1400-1200 B.C., from anywhere between the eastern Mediterranean and Kurdistan. It has a very full design and looks like a "common style", but it is cut on stone, not made of frit, and the design is very deeply cut so that a fine, well-rounded impression is given. Also, being of stone, it is more durable than those of frit. Though there is some wear, the deep outlining means that nothing has been lost as a result.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 6.34 grams, 25 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in July 1991. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Frieze including ribbed arch, gryphon drawing a bow, winged sun-disc, rampant ibex; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 3.65 grams, 15 mm



From the 'S' collection, 1970-1990s. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.