Mesopotamian Steatite Libation Spoon. 1st millennium B.C. Carved in the round with gusseted rim, shallow bowl with carved hand and arm detail to each side and cruciform segmented bands to the underside; lion-head carved in the round to the rear with segmented mane, sockets to the eyes and gaping mouth with hole for pouring liquids through the tubular junction to the rear, repaired. For discussion of similar pieces c.f. Merhav (ed.), A Glimpse into the past: The Joseph Tembach Collection, Jerusalem, 1981, p.62, fig.37; and Settgast, J., Von Troja bis Amarna, The Norbert Schimmel Collection, Mainz, 1978, no.146, for a vessel with similar lion heads; Moorey, P.R.S., Bunker, E.C., Porada, E., and Markoe, G., Ancient Bronzes Ceramics and Seals, The Nasli M. Heeramaneck Collection of Ancient Near Eastern, Central Asiatic and European Art, Los Angeles, 1981, cat.1305, for similar vessel with lion head biting the rim, carved in steatite; Fortin, M., Syrie, terre de civilisations, Québec, 1999, p.195, no.160, for a lion’s head shaped cup from Ugarit. 357 grams, 11.3 cm (4 1/2 in.). (For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price.) [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12193-222189.