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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LOT 0231