11th-6th century BC. A dark green mottled stone rectangular plaque with suspension loop to the top, one side engraved with a standing demon with lion's head and wearing a kilt, holding a snake in one hand a sceptre in the other; to the reverse a large scorpion with recumbent lion or dog below; accompanied by an old scholarly note, hand written and unsigned by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Bifacial plaque of dark green stone, with / suspension loop to the top. / Side A: standing Lamashtu-demon with lion's head, / holding a snake in one hand and a bundle of something / in the other hand. / Side B: a large scorpion, a recumbent quadruped beneath / it and a combto the top of the scene. / Assyrian or Babylonian, c. 1000 - 500 BC. The / design with the scorpion is rare. / worn, but design clear. / W.G. Lambert.' 29 grams, 57mm (2 1/4"). From an old British private collection; formed between 1975 and 1985.

Fine condition. Extremely rare.