Sumerian Terracotta Bulla Envelope with Impressed Decoration. Uruk Period, 5500-3100 B.C. Spherical and hollow-formed with moulded animal and other ornament to the outer face; clay tokens inside. 74 grams, 55 mm (2 1/8 in.). Specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1988. Thence by descent to family members. Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples. Accompanied by a copy of a previous two page illustrated cataloguing note.