Description:

**Originally Listed At $300**

Near East, Mesopotamia, ca. 3000 to 2500 BCE. A nacre (mother of pearl) shell fragment carved into the form of a bird in profile, with the eye drilled, possibly for inlaying a contrasting stone or shell fragment. Pierced at the top of the back/wing area for suspension, though the material around the hole is now worn away. Accompanying the piece is a typewritten description, signed in blue ink by Professor Wilfred George Lambert (1926-2011), a renowned Assyriologist and Fellow of the British Academy, celebrated for his expertise in Near Eastern archaeology. Size: 1.2" L x 0.9" W (3 cm x 2.3 cm)

Provenance: private London, UK collection; ex-private collection, acquired Gray's antique market, London, UK in the 1980s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

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SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)

PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.

#191777

  • Condition: Loss to the suspension hole area and flaking to surface layers. This area is thin and delicate. This piece comes with a typewritten description label signed by distinguished Professor Wilfred G. Lambert.

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Shipping

Bidder Can Make Shipping Arrangements, Local Pick-Up, In-House Shipping

December 29, 2025 10:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$1 - $249,999:
32.50%
$250,000+:
27.50%

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 + $500