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LOT 0206
Sumerian Terracotta Foundation Cone From Lagash
CIRCA 2100 B.C.
4 3/4 in. (172 grams, 12.2 cm).
Conical with a domed top, ten-line inscription for Gudea of Lagash, giving a record of the building of Eninnu, the temple of Ningirsu: 'For Ningirsu, the powerful warrior of Enlil, Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, brought about perfection: he built and restored his E-ninnu-anzud-babbar.'
ProvenanceFrom an important collection formed before 1988.
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.
Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert.
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.
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.
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AUCTIONS:
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Sumerian Pink Stone Cylinder Seal
Uruk Period, circa 3000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Drum-shaped with frieze of advancing ibexes; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.48 grams, 11.24 mm
From the 'S' collection, acquired 1970-1990s. The collection was seen and studied by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993. 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. -
Early Dynastic Terracotta Administrative Cuneiform Tablet Recording Livestock and their Owners
IIIb, 2400-2340 B.C.Estimate: £15,000 - 20,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £7,500
Pillow-shaped tablet with dense cuneiform text to two broad faces and one edge, concerning the listing of 146 sheep and their owners or shepherds:
202 grams, 78 mmColumn I Column II Column III 5 sheep, Pirigni, Kor 2?
6 male sheep, Ur-ur of Umma
3 sheep, Zag-mu, ki ni mu zu
5 sheep, x x-gi
4 male sheep …
Ur-Ishkur, herder of Abdu
4 sheep, Urgu (of) E-RU
2 … , herder IL, scribe
3 Gimni, herder chief galla-official
5 male sheep, Ur-lu, ..
2 sheep Lu-ra, herder…
…, herder
2 male sheep, Akadu, son of Lugal-sanga
2 Shesh-zimu
3 Zagmu,
Akadu
2 Ekalsi
1 Gimdu, son of Ekal
2 Mashda
1 … Guzi…
2 …kam … NA
Column IV Reverse Column V Column VI 2 Ur-…dua
6 Zagmu, herder of Mesanne
1 Urtul
3 GISH.MI, herder of Ilum-su?ni
4 Lugal-shalasu
Adda, singer?
5 Almu
2 Ur-Ezida
IGI MI ZI SI
3 Lueshla
2 Ur-… NE-RA
8 Azuzu
2 Adda, captain
1 En…du, nuesh-officiant
3 Sheshpadda, overseer
2 … ki-bi
…
…
6 E…
1 Ur…
…
1 Ur …
1 …
3 Dingir-urmu
1 Pirigni
Da…
1 Ur-Ninshaza, wife of U-u
4 Lugallu, herder of Lugalla…, majordomo
5 …igi-en …
1 Lugal-E…nisi
Column VII Column VIII Total 4 E-gish MI bi?, .., farmer
1 Ur-dingir, …si-TExESZ3
1 …
1 Lugal-nuduga
1 Aba-Enlil
1 Lugal …
2 Urmes
1 Urdam
1 Akadu, Adda…
1 U-u, …
Umunene
2 … -niE-u?
(space)
Its total: 146 sheep,
…
Pirigni (is) kush-official.
with Laemmle Gallery, San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, USA. Acquired from the above in the early 1970s. with Bonhams, London, 13 April 2011, no.133. Private central European collection. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages. Accompanied by a copy of the translation for this tablet. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12121-218147. 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. -
Large Western Asiatic Silver-Coloured Metal Ring with Chrysoprase Calligraphic Gemstone
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
Comprising a keeled hoop, striated shoulders with notched edges, openwork flower motif beneath the octagonal bezel, gilt rim to the bezel set with a facetted intaglio engraved calligraphy on four sides and the top. 17.51 grams, 29.75 mm overall, 20.68 mm internal diameter (approximate size British W, USA 11, Europe 25, Japan 24)
From the family collection of a Hampstead gentleman; formerly acquired in the 1980s. 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.
