1900-1700 BC. A large fragment of terracotta tablet with fifty-six lines of text; accompanied by a typed and signed scholarly note by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham 1970-1993, which states: 'Clay Tablet, 99 x 66 mm., inscribed with 56 lines of Babylonian cuneiform, the lower right-hand side lacking. This dates to the Old Babylonian period, c. 1900-1700 B.C. and contains a list of persons with fathers named: e.g. Id-gamil, son of Umani. A total of 28 such entries are preserved, not all complete, but a majority. There is no summary or other explanation at the end. This could be either administrative, or a school exercise, the latter being preferable. However, it is an unusual type of document and finely written.' 208 grams, 96mm (3 3/4"). Part of a specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman; 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; this small collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples. [No Reserve] Fine condition, chipped.
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19th-16th century BC. A large terracotta cylinder fragment, originally hexagonal in form, with lines of cuneiform text; accompanied by a scholarly note by Dr. Manuel Ceccarelli, phD earned at the University of Tübingen, Germany, which states: 'Prisma with lexical lists; Old Babylonian (ca. 1900–1600 BCE), probably from Nippur (modern Nuffar, in the centre of the southern flood plain of Iraq. Face a ll. 1’-7’ duplicate the so called Early Dynastic Word List C (E. Chiera, Sumerian Lexical Texts, Chicago 1929, Nr. 42 face f 9–15).'466 grams, 15cm (6").Part of a specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman; 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; this small collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples; accompanied by a photocopy of Professor Lambert’s and Dr. Manuel Ceccarelli's notes. [No Reserve] Fine condition, repaired.
2050-2020 BC. 2050-2020 BC. A large clay administrative tablet with Sumerian script; accompanied by a handwritten and signed scholarly note by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham 1970-1993, which states: 'Clay tablet, 21.5x14cm. with three columns of Sumerian script on the obverse, two partly inscribed on the reverse: assembled from pieces, but only one corner missing. An administrative document from the 3rd Dynasty of Ur, c. 2050-2020 B.C.Gars(?)an. Large, and in a big clear hand.'; and a copy of a scholarly note by Dr. Manuel Ceccarelli, phD earned at the University of Tübingen, Germany, which states: 'Monthly summarily of goods (e.g. animal, flour) disbursed by the chief administrator Adad-tillati of the city of GARšana (south Iraq). The tablet is dated to the third month (“month of the piglet feast”; may-june) of Šu-Sîn’s 7th year of reign (ca. 2030 BCE). Šu-Sîn (ca. 2037–2029 BCE) is the fourth king of the so-called Neo-Sumerian Empire, whose capital was the south Mesopotamian city of Ur.1.4 kg total, 22cm (8 3/4").Part of a specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman; 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; this small collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples; accompanied by a copy of Professor Lambert’s and Dr. Manuel Ceccarelli's notes. [No Reserve] Fair condition, assembled from pieces.
22nd-21st century BC. A terracotta tablet with eleven lines of cuneiform text to one side, the other side with three lines, containing a list of Ur III year names; accompanied by a scholarly note by Dr. Manuel Ceccarelli, phD earned at the University of Tübingen, Germany, which states: 'Tablet with a list of year names of the kings Sulgi (ca. 2092–20475 BCE) and Amar-Sîn (ca. 2046–2038 BCE), kings of the so called Neo-Sumerian Empire. Years had been named after relevant events, or just as “year after the year…” if nothing noteworthy happened.In this list, the year names are written in abridged form.Translation of the complete version of the year names:1’ …2’ ‘Sulgi the king of Ur, king of the four quarters, built the temple of Puzriš-Dagan’ (Sulgi’syear 39)3’ ‘Second year after the year in which the temple of Puzriš-Dagan was built’ (Y.41)4’ ‘Year the king destroyed the city of Šašrum (Y. 42)5’ ‘Year Enuburzianna was chosen as en-priestess of Nanna by means of the omens’ (Y. 43)6’ ‘Year Simurrum and Lullubum were destroyed for the ninth time’ (Y. 44)7’ ‘Year in which Sulgi the strong man, the king of Ur, the king of the four quarters, smashed the heads of Urbilum, Simurrum, Lullubum and Karhar in a single campaign’ (Y. 45)8’ ‘Year Sulgi the strong man, the king of Ur, the king of the four quarters, destroyed Kimaš, Hurti and their territories in a single day’ (Y. 46)9’ ‘Year Harši, Kimaš, Hurti and their territories were destroyed in a single day’ (Y. 48)10’ ‘Year Amar-Sîn became king’ (Amar-Sîn’s year 1)11’ ‘Year Amar-Sîn the king destroyed Urbilum’ (Y. 2)' 118 grams, 83mm (3 1/4").118 grams, 83mm (3 1/4").Part of a specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman; 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; this small collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples; accompanied by an original handwritten note on plastic sleeve by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert, and a copy of Dr. Manuel Ceccarelli's translation. [No Reserve] Fine condition, fragmentary. Very rare.
3rd-2nd millennium BC. A cotton reel-shaped cylinder seal decorated with a linear pattern, applied mother of pearl cap to each end. 2.81 grams, 13mm (1/2"). Ex private London, UK, collection, 1970-1990; seen by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in the 1990s. [No Reserve] Fine condition. Very rare.
Mainly 4th-2nd millennium BC. A mixed group of stone plano-convex stamp seals, discoid in plan, including five accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which state: (Q-47) 'Stamp seal of White Stone or Fired Kaolin 24 x 2 3 x 12.5 mm. This has a flat, round face with 'milled' edge, and the back is also nearly flat with a loop pierced, like an arch, in the middle. The design consists of drill holes: a large central one, and five triangles composed of from seven to ten holes around it. This seal comes from west central Asia, and dates to c. 2000 - 1500 B.C. It is in good state of preservation.' (T-569) 'Stamp seal of White Stone 48 x 49 x 16 mm. This has a round flat face, notched edges edges [sic] that curve in a little, and a convex back in the centre of which is a pierced loop handle of one piece with the rest. In the centre of this handle is an inlaid circle of lapis, and four other such circles are inlaid around the handle. The design on the face is achieved entirely with drill holes and consists of a rosette with four 'petals' and triangular groups of dots filling the spaces left. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is in quite good condition, and is a very good example of its kind.' (T-699) 'Stamp Seal of Black/Green Stone 30 x 30 x 16 mm. This is round, with flat face, curving sides, and is a slightly convex back on which there is a big pierced handle in the middle. The design on the face is drilled: an inner circle of 5 dots, one off centre, an outer circle of 11 dots. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. There is a little damage and wear to the edges, otherwise it is in good condition.' (T-893) 'Stamp Seal of Black/Green Stone 53 x 50 x 15 mm. This is roughly round with flat face and convex back, in the middle of which was a loop handle, now broken and replaced by a hole through the stone. The design consists of a rosette with eight petals, between each pair of which is a kind of cross, and beyond these as an outer circle are sixteen dots. This comes from west central Asia and date to c. 3500 - 3000 B.C. It is extremely large for its type and rare, but it is worn and there is scratching on the back.' (V-70) 'Stamp Seal of White Stone 20 x 20 x 10 mm. This is a round disc with 'milled edges' and a loop of one piece on the back. The design, achieved entirely with the drill, consists of a pattern of dots: a central dot, and four groups of four dots around it, each group consisting of one inner dot and three in a curving row beyond it. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. There is some incrustation on the surface, which could be removed, and there is little wear and slight damage to the rim, but generally it is in good condition.' 155 grams total, 20-52mm (3/4 - 2"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; item numbers Q-47. T-569, T-699, T-893, V-70, V-381, V-641, V-955, W-299, Y-572; academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. [10] Fine condition.
3rd-1st millennium BC. A mixed group of ten stamp seals, including four accompanied by typed and signed notes by the late W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which state: (T-580) 'Bifacial Stamp Seal of Green Stone, 15 x 14 x 8mm. This is a nearly square plaque with vertical sides, pierced through the middle. The one side shows a plant in bloom, the other side a star with eight 'rays'. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is a nice example of its kind and in very good condition.'; (U-628) 'Stamp Seal of Dark-coloured Stone, 22 x 18 x 8mm. This is bifacial, in the form of a squeezed cylinder pierced through the thickest part. The one side shows a scorpion, the other side a curling snake. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is a little damaged, but remains a nice example of its kind.'; (U-177) 'Stamp Seal of Red Stone, 27 x 20 x 10mm. This is very roughly oblong with top narrower than bottom, and is pierced near the top. One face only has a design, done largely with the wheel: a standing human figure in long robe with bottom fringe, with long plait of hair hanging down the back. One hand is raised. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 500-1 B.C. It is a rare type and somewhat crudely done, but in good condition.'; (2006) 'Stamp Seal with two faces of cream stone, 29 x 24 x 33mm. This seal has two oblong faces, the larger one on a tabloid base with groove around the sides, the smaller one on a plain tabloid base, the two being connected by a square pillar with angles at the middles of the sides of the tabloids, and pierced through two of its sides. The larger face shows a horned animal from the side, with fat body and short tail. The smaller face shows a kind of swastika design. This is said to come from west-central Asia, and can be dated from parallels from Anatolia/northern Iraq to c. 1100-800 B.C. It is a rarity, and in good condition.' 124 grams total, 15-41mm (1/2-1 1/2"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection numbers 2006, 2917, 4067, T-580, V-139, V-177, V-628, W-273, Z-68, Z-70, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. Dr Bonewitz notes: 'The seals are made from serpentine (6), lapis lazuli (1), limestone (3).' [10] Fine condition.
5th-4th century BC. A spectacular pale-green aqua glass lion-headed beaker or rhyton of exceptional quality, with chamfered rim and conical body with eighteen graduated circumferential ribs, thickened collar with notches indicating the mane and incised ears, lion-head finial with gaping mouth; eyes, teeth, nose and muzzle with wheel-cut detailing. See von Saldern, A. Glasrhyta Festschrift für Waldemar Haberey, Mainz, 1976 for discussion; Trowbridge, M.L. Philological Studies in Ancient Glass, Urbana, 1930; Barag, D. Western Asiatic Glass in the British Museum, London, 1985; a comparable piece is found in the Miho Museum, Shiga 529-1814, Japan, known as the 'Shumei beaker'. 257 grams, 16cm (6 1/4"). Previously the property of a Surrey gentleman; acquired 2010 from a private European collector living in South Kensington, London, UK; previously acquired in 1991; accompanied by a positive five page scientific report written by glass specialist Professor Julian Henderson, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., F.S.A., dated 26 June 2019; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.159507-10077. The luxury glass items produced in the Achaemenid Empire were of exceptional quality, made in the royal workshops at Persepolis, Susa and Ecbatana, possibly utilising the skills of Assyrian workmen. The peak of craftsmanship is associated with the 5th century BC in the city of Persepolis under Darius and his successors Xerxes and Artaxerxes I. The glass is transparent and clear with a slight green tinge (described as 'aqua' in the literature), a technique which began in Assyria in the 8th century BC replacing the earlier highly coloured opaque forms of glass which were intended to imitate gemstones and faience. These were produced using the core-form process which appears at around the same time in Egypt and Mesopotamia, mainly in connection with polychrome mosaic glass pieces. The intention with aqua glass was to imitate rock crystal and to enable engraving. There are several known examples in Europe dating to the 7th century of glass vessels with deliberate colour-reduction and rather thick walls, which are probably of Assyrian origin, and which are direct precursors of the Iranian material which in turn inspired Aegean and other craftsmen. The prototypes for the design are all found in precious metal (mainly silver) beakers and other vessels. In the play Acharnians by Aristophanes (first performed in Athens in 425 BC) it is reported that Athenian ambassadors to the Persian court at Ecbatana 'drank sweet wine from vessels of gold and glass' (Trowbridge, 1930, 134"). Persepolis's treasury revealed, during excavations in the 1930s, a wealth of clear or aqua glass vessels, many with cut decoration and made in moulds. The decorative device of fluting or grooving was applied to a variety of artefact types, typified in the lotus bowls of Achaemenid Persia and its successors which are mainly of silver although glass examples are known (mainly aqua or pale blue in colour"). These items form a cohesive group (of which the present piece is an example) of highly accomplished vessels and other items which emanate from the workshops established beside royal residences in Achaemenid Iran. Very fine condition. An excessively rare museum piece similar to the famous 'Shumei beaker'. ( A video of this lot can be viewed on Timeline Auctions website.)
Song Dynasty, 960-1127 AD. A ceramic diorama on an irregular base comprising: a standing horse with saddle, bridle and harness flanked by a standing male figure in a hood and knee-length coat and another bare-headed in an ankle-length robe. 11.1 kg, 40cm (15 3/4"). Property of a North London gentleman; previously in a private collection formed in the 1990s; accompanied by a copy of a positive thermoluminescence report issued by Laboratory Kotalla, no.33CM110520. Finely modelled. Very rare.
Late New Kingdom, 1069-945 BC. A bronze mirror with a Late Period wooden handle, the mirror with discoid face, the handle with likeness of the goddess Hathor bearing traces of gold leaf, tiered and segmented collar, curved grip with reserved chevrons and rosette finial. 660 grams, 31cm (12 1/4"). From the private collection of a medical professional; formerly in the old French collection of Mr Mandel, 1960-1975; with old label to the reverse of the handle dated 1935; accompanied by an original French certificate of exportation, number 208888. Fine condition. Rare.
A pair of Derby figures of sheep, a similar figure of a lowing ewe and a rare inscribed Derby figure of a ram, late 18th/early 19th century, the first three with patch marks and the latter incised 'Thomas Mavon 1776', L. 5.3 - 6.7cmCONDITION: Provenance - The Dennis G. Rice collection of Derby porcelain.The pair of figures have losses to the bocage, minor firing cracks. The ram has a loose shard rattling around inside. The lowing ewe has restoration to both ears, its rear left hoof and tail. The inscribed ram has restoration to the top of the stump behind the figure and to the front of the base.
A rare Barr, Flight and Barr plate, circa 1810, of moulded form decorated in the neo-classical London style with a central bunch of grapes framed by draped garlands, the rim decorated with gilded medallions of fruit in puce, hung from blue and gold wheel medallions, dentil and gold lined rim, impressed crown and BFB, printed circular mark 12.9cm diameterCONDITION: Occasional minor glaze scratch, in good condition.
A rare Samuel Alcock group of a girl teaching a poodle tricks, c.1835-50, impressed '346'?, H. 9.5cmCONDITION: Provenance - The Dennis G. Rice collection of 19th century English porcelain animals.This appears to be an unrecorded Alcock model.Restoration to her neck, right arm and ball, to the poodles tail and around its bottom.
Two rare Derby figures of a horse, c.1810-25, red crowned D and batons marks, L. 10cmCONDITION: Provenance - The Dennis G. Rice collection of 19th century English porcelain animals.cf. Dennis G. Rice, English Porcelain Animals of the 19th century, figure 121A.The white horse has restoration around all four legs. The black horse has some re-coloured flaking to the enamel.
A rare pair of Staffordshire porcelain groups of a cat and a kitten, c.1835-50, H. 7.5 and 7.7cmCONDITION: Provenance - Dennis G. Rice collection of 19th century English porcelain animals.Some fine crazing to the glaze in places. Good quality re-touching to flaking of the black enamel markings of the cats and kittens. The cat looking to its right has restored ears and a shallow splinter chip to the back of the base. The cat looking to its left has a short stained crack to the base. Both groups are covered by a clear lacquer to the figures to prevent flaking.
A rare Staffordshire porcelain group of a cat and a girl by a tree, possibly Dudson, c.1835-50, the cat seated on a hat and looking at a bird in the tree, H. 11.5cmCONDITION: Provenance - Dennis G. Rice collection of 19th century English porcelain animals.Two small overglazed firing cracks to the tree and tiny losses to shredded clay.
A rare Staffordshire porcelain group of a cat and kitten, possibly Lloyd Shelton, c.1835-50, with rich gilding to the base, H. 7.5cmCONDITION: Provenance - Dennis G. Rice collection of 19th century English porcelain animals.Cf. Dennis G. Rice, Cats in English porcelain, colour plate 83. Both of the cats ears restored. Crazing to the glaze all over.
A rare William de Morgan 'Ostrich' bottle vase, c.1888-97, painted by Joe Juster, with a repeating design of three ostriches running amid yellow, pink and blue flowers and green foliage, lambrequin border, glossy glaze, impressed marks 'W. DE MORGAN SAND...' inscribed in black '2200 ' and 'JJ 13' H.CONDITION: Splinter chip losses to the rim. Minor glaze imperfections, lower part of impressed mark indistinct. Minor glaze scratches.
A rare Goebel Art Deco pottery figure of female fencer, holding a foil in her right hand, impressed 'WG' mark and model no. 'FF 47' H. 26.5cmCONDITION: Later? replacement metal blade glued in position. Some tiny splinter chips around the edge of the foot. Small glaze flakes to hair and gauntlet.
A rare Chinese doucai 'lotus flower' jar, Wanli six character mark and probably of the period, (1573-1619), of squat baluster form, painted in underglaze blue with a repeating design of lotus flowers and scrolling tendrils enamelled in green, within lappeted borders and yellow enamel lines, H. 9.5cm, D. 10.8cm, later wood stand and coverCONDITION: There is an old Japanese style gilt filled repair to a large section of the rim of the jar, there is some scratching and wear to the glaze consistent with age and use, there is a visible slightly stained hairline crack running approximately one third of the circumference of the jar along the luting line - visible on the exterior and slightly visible on the interior, some scratching to the glaze on the interior, otherwise in reasonable condition, the wood stand is missing a foot.
A fine and rare Chinese gold splashed bronze globular tripod vessel, 18th century, crisply cast and chased with 'bat mask' ring handles between lappeted borders, on three caparisoned elephant head feet, splashed all over in gold, apocryphal Xuande two character seal mark, 19.5cm high, 20cm wide, with Qing dynasty triple ruyi-head hardwood stand, total height 28.5cm
A rare 18th century white and brown walrus ivory Russian chess set, featuring Russians against Persians, in mahogany box, Kings on thrones, queens as dignitaries, elephants as rooks, ships as bishops, horse mounted knights. King 7.3 cm tall.See central page illustration in Mackett-Beesons "Chessmen" and illustration no.74 in same.
Extremely rare and in excellent quality silver snuff box made by Norbert Heylbrouck sr. Ghent and engraver silversmith Joannes van Erven with maker's mark: lion going to the left. Snuff box dated 1732-1749. Length 10 cm width 7.5 cm height 1.7 cm. Mythological images from Métamorphose dOvide and Rondeux 1676 by Isaac de Bensérade:"Apollo tending the sheep and cows of Admetus"; and "Pandora's Box"This silver snuff box is depicted and described in detail in Ghendtsche Tydingen - Magazine of the Local History and History Circle Ghent - January / February 2016More than coincidentally the significance of the mythological depictions used seems to be related to the two dramatic highlights in Heylbrouck's life. (sentenced to death and pardoned by the Archduchess Maria-Elisabeth of Austria 1680-1741). It should come as no surprise if Heylbrouck dedicated or even donated this snuff box to her in gratitude before her death in 1741.Provenance: Collection Claeys / Szprycer Ghent; Private collection Belgium 1977; Private collection Netherlands 1986; Private collection Netherlands 2006.
Dandy (1952) 528-579. Complete year in bound volume. Keyhole Kate rare front cover story with Korky in No 529, Desperate Dan rare front cover story with Korky in No 558. July and August issues had low distribution due to industrial action that year so the complete year for 1952 is hard to assemble. Nos 528, 529 [vg], balance bright fresh covers, creamy white pages [fn/vfn/nm] (52)
Oz Magazine 28 Schoolkids issue (1970). Right-on Seventies porno edition with Rupert in flagrante delicto by Robert Crumb, Jail Bait of the month, Gilbert Shelton Fabulous Furry Freak Bros cartoon, The Doors, Incredible String Band LP reviews. This issue was the centrepiece of the Oz obscenity trials in 1971 where the defendants were found guilty and then innocent on appeal. They dressed as schoolgirls for the hearing. Rare in this grade [fn]
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209236 item(s)/page