23rd-mid 4th century BC. A mixed group of four cylinder seals, two limestone, one fossil shell and one banded agate, each drilled vertically for suspension, each accompanied by a museum-quality impression, and each accompanied by a copy of a typed and signed scholarly note by W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder seal of fawn stone. The design shows the Achaemenid Persian king in a tunic and Persian 'trousers' holding off in each arm a composite monster: body of a lion, curling wings and human head. This is an Achaemenid Persian seal, c.500-350 B.C. Though the basic design is a common one for the Empire and period, the details are not common, and may indicate an origin in the eastern parts of the Empire. It is, however, worn. (V-960)'; 'Cylinder seal of fossil shell. The design shows two rearing horned animals, facing, with a tree in between. This is a seal from Anatolia, northern Mesopotamia or western Iran, c.800-500 B.C. It is cut on what was an old seal, to which a new design was added in this period c.800-500 B.C., but a few traces of the old design remain. There is some wear on the tree, otherwise it is in good condition. (46)'; 'Cylinder seal of brown clay. The design shows two standing men, one raising one hand, and a sideways recumbent quadruped, also a structure in three stages, perhaps a ziggurat. This is a seal from Mesopotamia, c. 2300-2200 B.C. It is worn in one spot, but otherwise is in good condition, and is a rare seal. (2904)'; 'Cylinder seal of cream stone. Two striding, facing figures are shown. On the right is a man in long robe raising one hand, on the left a god with similar robe, but a nimbus around his body. Between them is a fire-bowl on a pole, and a crescent on a base serves as a terminal. This is a Neo-Assyrian or Neo-Babylonian seal, c. 800-600 B.C., cut with the wheel and drill. The stone is marked and has some damage, but most of the design is still quite clear. (B-3)'. 22 grams total, 16-29mm (3/4 - 1"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; item number 46, 2904, B-3, V-960; academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s; accompanied by four copies of a typed and signed scholarly notes by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert.[4]

Fine condition.