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LOT 0173
Old Babylonian Cuneiform Tablet, a Letter from Šamaš-nasir to Iluni King of Ešnunna Concerning the People of Zibbatum
CIRCA 1730-1720 B.C.
4 in. (183 grams, 10.2 cm wide).
A clay tablet of broadly rectangular form, a letter from Šamaš-naṣir (a provincial governor) to his lord, Iluni king of Ešnunna (Tell Asmar), the king passed orders to mobilise the men of Ida-Maraṣ, the name of the country of Ešnunna, to provide grain transport, but the men of the city Zibbatum did not respond to the call despite the governor's request to generals, the people of Zibbatum became apiru, that is, wandering groups; this is a social category well known from the second millennium (notably in the Canaanite texts of El-Amarna) which has sometimes been compared to the Hebrews of the Bible; the tablet reading:
'According to the mission of my Lord, I said to Arahum thus: 'Are not the people of Zibbatum the soldiers of your lord? Why did you make them Apirum?' This is what I said to him and Arahum blamed me, since that time Ibnatum does not cease to be insolent before me and does not cease to hide his troop from me. Yesterday, when I came to my lord, I wanted to inspect him but his troop was not present. I sent one of my servants to the city of Urula, one of my servants to the interior of the country and one of my servants to the city of Labi, his city, in order to (re)lead his troop and himself and until now they have not brought me any news. As soon as they have brought them back to me my lord will hear the punishment I intend to inflict on him. In such a large country as the one my lord has entrusted to me, I...'
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.
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LOT 0173
Old Babylonian Cuneiform Tablet, a Letter from Šamaš-nasir to Iluni King of Ešnunna Concerning the People of Zibbatum
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
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Luristan Decorated Pin Pair
13th-6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
A pair of bronze pins composed of tapering round-section stems with ribbed upper bodies and domed heads; pierced. 111 grams total, 22-23.5 cm
UK private collection before 2000. UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. -
Neo-Elamite Silver Torc with Lion-Headed Terminals
Late 1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
A silver torc with round-section penannular hoop, expanding towards lion-head terminals, with stylised detailing to the face and head of the animals, their manes extending along the hoop shoulders. 78 grams, 14 cm diameter
with a London, UK gallery 1971-early 2000s. -
Western Asiatic Cuneiform Tablet, A Letter from Karariya to Taridum a Servant of King Iluni
2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
A roughly rectangular clay tablet bearing dense rows of cuneiform text to both principal faces and to each of the four side edges; a letter from Karariya to Ṭaridum, probably a servant of Iluni, Karariya serves a foreign ruler (as indicated by the mention of the deity Hitti) who has just ascended the throne; he is of the same rank as Taridum, who considers him his brother: 'May Šamaš and Hitti preserve my brother alive forever!'; they deal with matters they have in common, a lawsuit to be tried by Karariya, and exchanges of goods between their two houses: 'There are no more wicks (?) for the lamps in my house (...). The wine from my stock is spent and we could not load the donkeys (with wine) for you'; repaired. 110 grams, 82 mm
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. This small collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples.
