Choose Category:

Home > Auctions > Starting 9th September 2025 > Old Babylonian 'Kings of Larsa' Terracotta Cuneiform Tablet Collection

Print page | Email lot to a friend

Back to previous page


Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Gallery loading...

LOT 1378

Estimate
GBP (£) 7,000 - 9,000
EUR (€) 8,100 - 10,410
USD ($) 9,380 - 12,060

OLD BABYLONIAN 'KINGS OF LARSA' TERRACOTTA CUNEIFORM TABLET COLLECTION
2000-1500 B.C.
1 7/8 - 2 1/4 in. (230 grams total, 47-58 mm).

Group of pillow-shaped tablets, each with cuneiform text to the broad faces and an edge, reading:

a) 'Loan of money by a deity during the reign of Sin-iqišam king of Larsa (1840-1836 BC).
The tablet was sealed.
Idnin-Sîn and Sutitum have obtained from the god Šamaš (a loan of) 5/6 mine 5 shekels of silver, the
silver (has) an interest of 4 shekels 1/3. He° will have to repay the money at the time of sowing.
Before (the god) Ea,
Before (the goddess) Sugallitum
Before (the god) Nanna
Before Dani
Seal of one (of the) witnesses...
In the month of Tebitum
The year of Sin-iqišam the king.

b) sale of a palm grove during the reign of Nur-Adad king of Larsa (1865-1850 BC)
50 sar of orchard, planted with palm trees, next to Kunia, next to Amurutu, on the first small side:
Rabutum. Sîn-pilah bought from Huzalum. He paid him its full price of 1/3 silver mine. He swore in the
name of Nur-Adad the king that no one would constest in the future.
In front of Itišumum
In front of Sinennam

Before Sugalum
Before Kurušum
Before Awīl-Amurrim the scribe
In the month of šabatu, the year Nur-Adad (offered) a throne of justice (?) ...

c) interest-free loan from the moon god Nanna, during the reign of Warad-Sîn (year
12), king of Larsa (1834-1823 BC)
12 shekels of interest-free silver, from (the moon-god) Nanna, debt of Bitanum.
Before Qišti-Enlil
Before Dadiya
Before Sîn-šemi
In the month of Innana, the 5th.
The year (the king) built the temple of Ninug... inside (the city of) Maškan-šapir.

d) contract for the sale of a palm grove during the reign of Sumu-el (year 26), king of
Larsa (1894-1866 BC)
36 sar of orchard, planted with palm trees, next to Batuli and next to Kutanum, Sin-pilah bought from
Bedi-el. He paid its full price 10... of silver. He swore in the name of the king that in the future no one
would dispute.
Before ...
Before Sîn Dayan
In front of Naqimum
In front of Damu
In front of Munakum
In the month of Kislimu, the 4th year of the priest of Nanna.' [4]

PROVENANCE:
Ex private collection.
with Bonhams, Antiquities, London, 21 October 1999, no.260.
Private central European collection.

Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12244-219769.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

CONDITION
VETTING:
TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process

AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.