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LOT 1118
Mesopotamian Cuneiform Tablet
2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
2 1/2 in. (123 grams, 63 mm).
Pillow-shaped clay tablet with cuneiform text to both broad faces and one edge; repaired. [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.
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AUCTIONS:
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Ghaznavid Bronze Zoomorphic Ring with Annular Design
Circa 12th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
With a keeled hoop decorated with ring-and-dot and linear designs, the shoulders formed as stylised beast heads supporting the bezel with punched ring-and-dot motifs. 9.52 grams, 26.94 mm overall, 19.21 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)
UK private collection before 2000. On the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. -
Babylonian Cylinder Seal with King and Bull-Men
Cassite Period, circa 1400-1100 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,900
With three standing figures; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Fawn, Colourless and Whitish Agate, 22.5 x 9 mm. The design shows two standing bull-men holding between them a pole-standard with a kind of fleur-de-lis on top. There is a cuneiform inscription in Babylonian language: sa-ki-in (May god be merciful) / na4kisib an-ni (to the one equipped) / ilum li-re-en-s[u] (with this seal. This is a Cassite-period Babylonian seal, c. 1400-1100 B.C. It is a rare design for the period and the inscription may be unique. The seal is chipped at the edges, and is joined from two pieces with no loss of surface, and is in an attractive stone.' 2.8 grams, 22 mm
Academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 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 typed and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993. -
Sassanian Gold Ring with Portrait Gemstone
3rd-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Flat-section hoop with cup bezel, and lateral bulb; inset lapis lazuli cloison with intaglio female bust. 2.23 grams, 20.71 mm overall, 15.39 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H 1/2, USA 4, Europe 6.81, Japan 6)
Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s.
