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LOT 1244
Mesopotamian Cuneiform Tablet Fragment
EARLY 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
2 1/8 in. (47 grams, 53 mm).
Bifacial, pillow-shaped with cuneiform text to one face and one edge; one corner absent. [No Reserve]
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.
This small collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. cuneiform text tablet now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, under accession no.86.11.282.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Western Asiatic Terracotta Standing Idol
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
Freestanding, with a pinched face, elaborate applied hairstyle, circular eyes and prick-decorated collar, hand clasped with palms to chest; repaired. 69 grams, 15 cm high
Acquired in the 1970s. Ex European private collection. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger
3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Featuring a flat leaf-shaped blade, slightly rounded shoulders with curved terminals, square-section handle. 381 grams, 28.8 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This was one of the earliest forms of Western Asiatic daggers, but until the blade was strengthened by thickening or by having a midrib at the centre, and rivets were introduced, it must have often buckled up on impact. However, when compared to the earliest Egyptian types with its short triangular blade, this Asiatic dagger is longer, narrower, and probably more useful as an offensive weapon. -
Luristan Bronze Animal
13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Modelled in the round with long arched neck. 15.9 grams, 40 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.