2nd century BC-2nd century AD. A bronze scraper of roughly oblong shape, design of nineteen lines of short pointed rods; handle formed as an advancing lioness with elegant body and curved tail, accompanied by a typed and signed note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Bronze Scraper with Lioness Handle, Base: 94 x 33mm, Height: 40mm. This is a bronze plate with nineteen rows of spikes and the handle of the back is a walking lioness with elongated body, turning a little to the right. This is a rare item from part of Iran or west central Asia, most likely from an area to the south of the Caspian. Its date is difficult to fix, but perhaps c. 200 B.C. - 200 A.D. is the right range. It is an attractive item and in vert good condition.' 143 grams, 94mm (3 3/4"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection number W-158, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. Fine condition. Rare.