23rd-20th century BC. A bronze discoid openwork seal with handle to the reverse, accompanied by a typed and signed note by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 71 x 70 x 23. This is round, with flat face and flat back, on which is mounted a handle of inverted-V shape. The design is both compartmented and open-work. It consists of four sitting monkeys in a circle with tails erect, three of them holding something in their front paws, the fourth not holding anything but the paws up. The design is enclosed within a plain band. Design repeated on back. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It has a rare, possibly unique design, and is in very good condition except that the outer rim is dented and worn.' 68 grams, 72mm (2 3/4"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection number R-858, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s.