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LOT 0183
Sumerian Lipit-Ishtar King of Isin Cuneiform Foundation Cone
1936-1926 B.C.
4 1/2 in. (158 grams, 11.3 cm).
From the House of Justice at Isin; inscribed with columns of cuneiform text:
I, (the divine) Lipit-Eštar, humble shepherd of (the city of) Nippur, faithful farmer of (the city of) Ur, tireless worker for (the city of) Eridu, perfect Lord for (the city of) Uruk, King of (the city of) Isin, King of Sumer and Akkad, who pleases (the goddess) Innana, on the day I established justice in Sumer and Akkad, I built the temple of justice at the Reservoir, the great space of the gods; and bearing inked collection number: 'BEC.2 00015024' to base. [No Reserve]
Previously from the estate of a West Sussex, UK, collector.
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.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12314-215541.
Votive cones are one type of royal foundation deposit, objects that were buried in the walls and beneath the floors of important buildings during construction to sanctify the site and to create a historical memory of the ruler and his achievements.
Lipit-Ishtar was the fifth king of the Dynasty of Isin, which was founded after the collapse of the Third Dynasty of Ur. He is famous as having published a series of laws in the Sumerian language anticipating the code of Hammurabi by more than a century.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0183
Sumerian Lipit-Ishtar King of Isin Cuneiform Foundation Cone
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,900
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Cylinder Seal Group
Circa 2300-2200 B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £286
Comprising: an Akkadian example with a heroic scene carved in shell, 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 White Marble, 18 x 10 mm. The design shows hero in the middle, succouring on either side a domestic quadruped on its hind legs, each being attacked by a lion. This is an Akkadian seal from Mesopotamia or West Iran, c. 2300-2200 B.C. The surface is somewhat worn.'; a haematite seal engraved with a walking dog or wolf with three stars above, rosette to the back; a carnelian seal engraved with a group of worshippers wearing long robes and Median caps, tree motif to the back. 7.62 grams total, 13-18 mm
The first property of a London gentleman; part of his family collection since the 1970s. Academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the 1980s. The other examples the property of a London gentleman; acquired before 1995. 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 a original typed and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993. -
Western Asiatic Decorated Bronze Ring Group
Circa 1st millennium A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Comprising five rings with large decorative bezels, three with standing figure, one with a waking sphinx and one with a rosette. 16.5 grams total, 19-23 mm
UK private collection before 2000. On the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. -
Western Asiatic Gold Bell-Shaped Pendant
Circa 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £293
Hemispherical with loop to the inner face to accept a clapper. 3.85 grams, 23 mm
From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.
