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LOT 0189
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) …
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.
Salvatore Monaco, Archaic Cuneiform Tablets from Private Collections, CUSAS 31, no.143 (CDLI P464182).
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0189
Large Proto-Sumerian Pictographic Tablet for the Account of Grain Delivered to SI.UK and MUSH Settlement
Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,200
-
Mesopotamian Amethyst Cylinder Seal with Bearded God
Circa 900-600 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,300
With bearded male between winged horses; accompanied by an old scholarly note, written and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Amethist [sic] 24 x 11mm. Standing god between two winged horses. North Mesopotamia or West Iran. c.900-600 B.C. Condition good.' 6.57 grams, 23 mm
Ex Oasis Ancient Art, London, W1, before 1990. Academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the 1990s. From a collection acquired from various auction houses in the UK. From the estate of Mr R.W., a private Wiltshire, UK, collector; thence by descent. Accompanied by an original handwritten and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993. -
Mesopotamian Cuneiform Tablet Issued by the Temple at Drehem and Sohka
Circa 1200 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Pillow-shaped terracotta tablet with impressed cuneiform text to both broad faces and two edges. 10.4 grams, 28 mm
Acquired from Alister Matthews in 1958, from catalogue number 53, item 702 (6). From the private collection of the late Dr J.D.H. Widdness, Dublin, Ireland. Accompanied by an original Alister Matthews catalogue cutting from 1958. Accompanied by an old original typed cataloguing slip probably from the late 1950s. -
Old Babylonian Stone Cylinder Seal with Figures and Animals
Early 2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
Haematite with frieze depicting a male and female figure surrounded by birds and mythical beasts beside a single male. 4.32 grams, 17 mm
From the 'S' collection, acquired 1970-1990s. The collection was seen and studied by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993.
