Large Proto-Sumerian Pictographic Tablet for the Account of Grain Delivered to SI.UK and MUSH Settlement

URUK III, CIRCA 3200-3000 B.C.

3 5/8 in. (140 grams, 93 mm).

Terracotta pillow-shaped tablet with grid to each broad face, each cell with an impressed image and a corresponding number of impressions from the tip of a rod, a list for the distribution of animals to the contrary reading:

Obverse:
Column 1
1. 4(N14) 2(N01) , SZE~a MUSZ3~a units of barley
2. , SI4~f |3(N57).EN2|

Column 2
1.a. 2(N14) , SZE~a EN~a PAP~a PAP@t units of barley
1.b. 3(N19) ,
2. 3(N19) , MUSZ3~a
3. 1(N19) , LA2 TE SZE~a
4.a. 2(N14) , SZE~a EN~a KISAL~b1 PA~a units of barley
4.b. 5(N04) ,
5. , |NUN~a+NAM2|

Column 3
1. 2(N14) , SZE~a EN~a PAP~a PAP@t units of barley
2. 2(N19) 3(N04) , MUSZ3~a
3. 1(N19) 4(N04) , EN~a KISAL~b1 PA~a (name?)
4. 3(N14) 4(N01) , SZE~a IDIGNA EN~a KISAL~b1 PA~a units of barley
5. , ZATU659

Reverse:
Column 1
1. 5(N14) 2(N01) , MUSZ3~a |3(N57).EN2|
2.a1. 1(N45) 2(N14) 3(N01) , SZE~a |NUN~a+NAM2| units of barley …
2.a2. 1(N45) 1(N14) , SZE~a ZATU659 units of barley …
2.b1. 5(N14) , SZE~a units of barley
2.b2. 7(N19) 3(N04) (total units)
2.b3. 3(N14) , SZE~a “
2.b4. 8(N19) “

Column 2
1. 1(N45) 4(N14) , (sub?- total units of barley) …
2. 1(N46) 4(N19) 5(N04) ,

Column 3
1. 2(N45) 2(N19) 6(N14) 5(N04) , SZE~a 1(N57) SI4~f |SIxKU~b1| SZEG9 E~a
(grand total units of barley) …

Provenance

From specialised collection of cuneiform texts, formed in the 1950s-1990s.
The property of a London gentleman and housed in London, 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 1990s.
The collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples.
Accompanied by a copy of a handwritten and signed scholarly note for five tablets written by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12119-216212.

Published

Salvatore Monaco, Archaic Cuneiform Tablets from Private Collections, CUSAS 31, no.143 (CDLI P464182).

CONDITION

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LOT 0189