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LOT 1208
Mesopotamian Cuneiform Tablet
2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
2 in. (43.5 grams, 50 mm).
Pillow-shaped clay tablet with cuneiform text to one broad face and one edge; chipped. [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.
Cf. MacGregor, N., A History of the World in 100 Objects, London, 2010 (cat.no.15, pp.90-94).
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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Akkadian Cylinder Seal with Water-God Enki
23rd-22nd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,105
Mottled chalcedony with judgement scene; the water-god Enki seated confronts a human flanked by robed and bearded supporters, two columns of cuneiform text, chipped. 4.55 grams, 20 mm
Ex Cohen Antiques, London W8. From the M. Cloake collection, acquired in 1977. 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. -
Proto-Sumerian Pictographic Tablet for Distribution of Sheep by the Wife of E.Kisal
Uruk III, circa 3200-3000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £10,400
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. 2(N01) , U8 2 ewes 2. 3(N01) , UDUNITA~a 3 male sheep 3. 1(N01) , UD5~a 1 …-sheep 4. 4(N01) , MASZ2 |U4x1(N57)|# 4 goats day 1 5. , GAL~a SAL E~a (name?) Column 2 1. 1(N01) , U8 1 ewe 2. 4(N01) , UDUNITA~a 4 male sheep 3.a. 5(N01) , MASZ2 5 goats 3.b1. 1(N01) , |U4x3(N57)|# GAL 1 large 3.b2. 4(N01) , |U4x1(N57)|# TUR 1 small 4. , |SZE~a.NAM2| … Reverse: Column 1 1. 1(N14) , SAL E~a [...] 1 … 2. 1(N14)# [...] 1 … Column 2 1. 3(N01) , U8 (total) 3 ewes 2. 7(N01) , UDUNITA~a (total) 7 male sheep 3. 9(N01) , MASZ2 (total) 9 goats 4. 1(N01) , UD5~a (total) 1 …-sheep Column 3 1. , |SIxKU~b1| 2(N14) , BA MASZ GAN2 SAL E~a KISAL~b1 (interpretation: distributed in the SI.KU settlement, the wife of E.KISAL being responsible). 72.3 grams, 80 mm
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. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12117-215351. -
Western Asiatic Decorated Gold Pendant Terminal
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
Crescentic in plan with applied filigree rim forming lateral loops, granule clusters and domed roundels. 4.84 grams, 45 mm
Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s.