3rd-1st millennium BC. A mixed group of four cylinder seals, comprising two limestone, one agate, and one jasper; two accompanied by a museum-quality impression and typed and signed scholarly note issued by W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: (1) 'Cylinder Seal of Black Stone 33 x 12 mm. A design is cut with deep gashes in the surface of the stone, which at first glance appear to have no meaning, but a diagonally placed horned animal is present, with body, horns, neck and head, tail and four legs. The other cuts appear to be 'abstract art'. This is a seal of the Jemdet Nasr style, c. 3000 B.C., from Mesopotamia. It is worn, but interesting for its abstract style.' (2) 'Cylinder Seal of Brown Stone 34 x 13 mm. The design shows a hero with wings holding a spear to face an approaching lion, beneath which is a fallen domestic quadruped. This comes from west central Asia or eastern Iran and is a very rare type of seal not easily dated, but c. 1500-500 B.C. is the most likely range. It is deeply cut and somewhat worn, but the design can be made out.' 24 grams total, 19-34mm (3/4 - 1 1/4"). Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Signo collection, property of a West London businessman. Item number 3092, B-100 (166), W-465, Y-535; academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. Accompanied by two original typed and signed scholarly notes by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert. [4]

Fine condition.