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Home > Auctions > Starting 5th March 2024 > Mesopotamian Terracotta Foundation Nail for Ningirsu, the Strong Hero of Enlil his King, Gudea

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LOT 0231

Sold for (Inc. bp): £390

MESOPOTAMIAN TERRACOTTA FOUNDATION NAIL FOR NINGIRSU, THE STRONG HERO OF ENLIL HIS KING, GUDEA
3RD-2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
3 3/4 in. (355 grams, 95 mm).

Conical foundation nail fragment with broad domed top, columns of cuneiform text to the shank:

'dnin-gir -su
ur-saĝ-kal-ga-
den-lil -la
lugal-a-ni
gu -de -a ensi
ŠIR.BUR.LAki-ke
nig -du -e pa mu-na-e
e -ninnu AN.IM.DUGUD-babbar -ra-ni mu-na-du
ki-bi mu-na-gi',

reading: 'Ningirsu, the strong hero of Enlil his king, Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, made ideal values shine and built Eninnu, his white eagle, and restored it'.

PROVENANCE:
Acquired in London in 1995.
European private collection.

LITERATURE:
Cf. similar item in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, under accession no.45.90, for type.

CONDITION
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