Old Babylonian Terracotta Cuneiform Tablet for The Sale of a Palm Grove during the Reign of Sumu-el

1894-1866 B.C.

1 7/8 in. (39 grams, 47 mm).

A pillow-shaped tablet, with cuneiform text to the broad faces and an edge, reading:

'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.'

Provenance

Ex private collection.
with Bonhams, Antiquities, London, 21 October 1999, no.260 (Part).
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.

CONDITION

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LOT 0281