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LOT 0190
Old Babylonian Cuneiform Messenger Tablet Recording the Journeys of Royal Envoys
END OF AMAR-SIN'S REIGN, 2047-2038 B.C.
3 1/2 in. (186 grams, 89 mm).
Pillow-shaped clay tablet with dense rows of cuneiform text in two columns to each face, (79 lines in total):
1-3. x liters of beer 4 liters of bread, (for) Ili… royal messenger, when he went to …
4-6. x liters of beer x liters of bread, (for) … royal messenger when he went to (visit) the commisionar, dedicated to a judiciary case
7-10. 5 liters of beer 5 liters of bread, (for) Turam-ili royal messenger when he went (concerning) the fugitive troop from Irisagrig who have been arrested,
11-13. 3 liters of bear 2 liters of bread, (for) Ilum-bani, royal messenger when he went (concerning) the fugitive troop, slaves of the palast who have been arrested,
14. 5 liters 5 liters of bread, (for) …
15-17. 5 liters of beer 5 liters of bread, (for) Lu-BaU royal messenger, when he went to the Šubartum (land)
18-19. 5 liters of beer 5 liters of bread, (for) Šu-Ea royal messenger
20-22. 2 liters of beer 4 liters of bread, (for) Ur-Šul-pa’e, when he was in charge of the zigum-equids
23-25. 3 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Ibquša royal messenger when he went to (the city of) Zitian
26-28. 3 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) the secretary, royal messenger when he went to Dadani (the gouvernor).
20-30. 5 liters of beer 5 liters of bread, (for) Hurazi royal messenger
31-32. 3? liters of beer 2 liters of breed, (for) Šu-Eštar royal messenger
33-34. 3 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Dada the royal messenger
35-37. 3 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Dudu royal messenger when they went to (the city of) Der
38-39. 3 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Šu-Erra royal messenger
40-43. 3 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Šu-Iškur royal messenger when he left (the city of) Der to the king's place
44-45. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Narua-igidu the cook
46-47. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of breed, (for) Puzur-Šuba the cook
48-49. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Ababum the cook
50-51. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Ur-Eana
52-53. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Lu-diĝira
54-56. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Ir-Nanna
57-59. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Šu-Enlila, (who) are boatmen
60-61. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Lu-Nanna
62-64. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Namtiešta, (who) are people (working) on the boat’s bow
65-66. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Apil-nia
67-68. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Ur-Enki
69-70. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Nanna-bazige
71-74. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Lu-Ninšubur, (who) are boatmen …, when the went to (fetch) the equids for the queen
Total : 92 liters of beer […]
Specialised 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.
The collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples.
Accompanied by a typed and illustrated report with translation.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12120-216213.
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LOT 0190
Old Babylonian Cuneiform Messenger Tablet Recording the Journeys of Royal Envoys
Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,050
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Mesopotamian Cylinder Seal with Drinking and Animal Combat Scenes
Circa 2400-2200 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,560
With drinking scenes; 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 Translucent Greenstone / 31 x 12 mm. The engraved area is divided into two registers by a double line. Above is a drinking scene: two seated drinkers, each with a large ot of beer, and between the pots a standing servant. Below is a contest scene: two crossed lions molest each a horned animal. The horned animal on the left is upended, and is succoured by a hero. This comes from Mesopotamia and dates to c. 2400-2200 B.C. It is nicely engraved and in excellent state of preservation.' 8.09 grams, 31 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. -
Qajar Tiles Decorated with Persian Battle Scene
19th century A.D.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,500
A panel of twelve glazed pictorial tiles in vibrant colours depicting a battle scene from the epic poem 'Shahnameh', written during the reign of Sultan Mahmoud Ghaznavi (979-1030 A.D). and presented to him by the poet Ferdowsi, with two warriors on horseback fighting with swords, four trumpeters above and wounded figures and discarded arms below; with three small cartouches of nastaʿlīq script inscription at top; the tiles set with ornamental studs at intersections; all mounted within a substantial part-gilt wooden frame for hanging or display. 24.5 kg, 87 x 68.5 cm
Ex Habib Anavian Galleries Ltd, New York, USA. with Mahboubian Gallery, London, UK. Accompanied by the original 1979 catalogue where this piece is published. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12129-217321. -
Large Proto-Sumerian Pictographic Tablet for the Account of Grain Delivered to SI.UK and MUSH Settlement
Uruk III, circa 3200-3000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,200
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. 4(N14) 2(N01) , SZE~a MUSZ3~a units of barley 2. , SI4~f |3(N57).EN2| Column 2 1.a. 2(N14) , SZE~a EN~a PAP~a PAP@t units of barley 1.b. 3(N19) , 2. 3(N19) , MUSZ3~a 3. 1(N19) , LA2 TE SZE~a 4.a. 2(N14) , SZE~a EN~a KISAL~b1 PA~a units of barley 4.b. 5(N04) , 5. , |NUN~a+NAM2| Column 3 1. 2(N14) , SZE~a EN~a PAP~a PAP@t units of barley 2. 2(N19) 3(N04) , MUSZ3~a 3. 1(N19) 4(N04) , EN~a KISAL~b1 PA~a (name?) 4. 3(N14) 4(N01) , SZE~a IDIGNA EN~a KISAL~b1 PA~a units of barley 5. , ZATU659 Reverse: Column 1 1. 5(N14) 2(N01) , MUSZ3~a |3(N57).EN2| 2.a1. 1(N45) 2(N14) 3(N01) , SZE~a |NUN~a+NAM2| units of barley … 2.a2. 1(N45) 1(N14) , SZE~a ZATU659 units of barley … 2.b1. 5(N14) , SZE~a units of barley 2.b2. 7(N19) 3(N04) (total units) 2.b3. 3(N14) , SZE~a “ 2.b4. 8(N19) “ Column 2 1. 1(N45) 4(N14) , (sub?- total units of barley) … 2. 1(N46) 4(N19) 5(N04) , Column 3 1. 2(N45) 2(N19) 6(N14) 5(N04) , SZE~a 1(N57) SI4~f |SIxKU~b1| SZEG9 E~a (grand total units of barley) … 140 grams, 93 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. Accompanied by a copy of a handwritten and signed scholarly note for five tablets written by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12119-216212.
