*A RARE ELAMITE BLUE FAIENCE VASE WITH AN HANDLE IN A FORM OF A RAM HEAD PROTOME. Neo-Elamite, 8th-7th century BCE Dim. 16 x 12 x 9 cm Provenance Estate of a European Ancient Dealer, acquired prior 1992, on the French market. Then by descent Accompanied by 2 TL test: - Oxford Lab., 18/11/1992 - ASA Lab., 8/04/1994 Published in Antique Trade Gazette, 28/09/1996 The slightly flaring cylindrical body rests on a flat disc-shaped foot. A protome, possibly a handle, emerges from the rim of the vessel in the form of a kneeling bull/ram creature (horns missing). The decoration includes a guilloche band at the top and bottom. The main scene on the body depicts two rearing bulls on each side of two Trees of Life. Restorations. For comparison see Metropolitan Museum, 43.102.45a–c and for a close comparison with identical scene see Louvre Museum, SB 411 BIS. For Swiss buyers, VAT applies to the hammer price and buyer's premium (only for the lots with the * mention)