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LOT 0231
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'.
Acquired in London in 1995.
European private collection.
Cf. similar item in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, under accession no.45.90, for type.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0231
Mesopotamian Terracotta Foundation Nail for Ningirsu, the Strong Hero of Enlil his King, Gudea
Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
-
Western Asiatic Garnet-Set Gold Pendant Element
Circa 12th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £425
Lozenge-shaped and of box construction, the central field set with nine garnets within raised frames set, the base with wire and chain work, the four corners set with facetted spherical terminals, four suspension loops between each terminal. 11.3 grams, 59 mm
From a private family collection formed in the 1970s. -
Western Asiatic Agate and Gold Bead Necklace
1st millennium B.C. and laterEstimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £550
Restrung designer necklace with elegant bead arrangement, comprising spherical white agate beads, oval banded agate beads, with later gold interstitial slender bicone beads; modern clasp. 82.5 grams, 64 cm long
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016. -
Mesopotamian Rock Crystal Cylinder Seal with Animals
Circa 7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
With frieze in two registers: above, mainly running felines; below, addorsed pairs of gryphons sitting and bovines resting, solar disc above; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 5.25 grams, 18 mm
Ex London, UK, collection, by family descent before 1988. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.
