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LOT 0867
Mesopotamian Cuneiform Tablet Fragment Relating to Inventory of Sheep
MID 3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.
2 1/2 in. (28 grams, 64 mm wide).
A bifacial clay tablet with cuneiform text to both faces, an accounting tablet concerning an inventory of various types of sheep associated with names of persons.
ProvenanceSpecialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1992.
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 early 1990s.
The collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples.
Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession number 11.217.15, for similar.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0867
Mesopotamian Cuneiform Tablet Fragment Relating to Inventory of Sheep
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,105
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Western Asiatic Bull-Headed Bronze Spout
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £600
A bronze zoomorphic spout of roughly cylindrical form, terminating in a stylised bull's head with curved horns. 135 grams, 79 mm
Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private collection since 1998. -
Western Asiatic Painted Vessel with Zebu
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
A piriform ceramic vessel with short neck and inverted rim, painted with hatched triangles over a frieze of processing zebu bulls with solid circles in the field. 380 grams, 20 cm high
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Sumerian Cylinder Seal with Banqueting Scene
26th-24th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £191
A chalk cylinder seal with frieze; accompanied by an old scholarly note, handwritten and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder seal of white stone, 28x17 mm. Two facing seated drinkers, wearing long robes and holding up cups. Standing servant in short clothes between them. Vessel with pointed base and two straws in it. Mesopotamian, c.2600-2400 B.C.. Top of seal damaged, but design deep and clear.' In a different hand beneath 'Sumerian seal; early Dynastic Period III. Banquet scene. Manuscript of Prof. W.G. Lambert' and further notation to the reverse; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 7.2 grams, 28 mm
Fine condition.
From the private collection of Emilio Bacarani, Valbonne, France, 1950-1988. Acquired in 1988. From the collection of G.M.R.H., London, UK. Accompanied by an original handwritten unsigned scholarly note by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA.