9th-8th century BC. A carved black hardstone cylinder seal with a pair of winged beasts and plants, possibly a contemporary copy; accompanied by a section of the old scholarly notes on a collection of 61 seals, typed and unsigned, by W. G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Mid-west Iranian, c. 900-700 B.C. Black stone. One winged monster pursuing another; crescent; two plants.' 10.9 grams, 31mm (1 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; part of his family collection since the 1970s; collection identification number 12; supplied with a museum-quality impression. This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz.

Very fine condition.