Ur III Terracotta Cuneiform Tablet Fragment

Irregular fragment with remains of original surface bearing columns of cuneiform text. 106 grams, 73 mm



Acquired from Ancient Art, London, UK, in 1985. From the personal collection of a West London, UK, gentleman.

The top section of a foundation cone from the reign of Ur-Nammu, with domed face, the side inscribed with columns of cuneiform text; from the Ziggurat at Ur, in the Third Dynasty. 108 grams, 48 mm



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.

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. Among Ur-Nammu‘s military exploits were the conquest of Lagash and the defeat of his former masters at Uruk. He was also responsible for ordering the construction of a number of ziggurats, including the Great Ziggurat of Ur. He was killed in a battle against the Gutians after he had been abandoned by his army.

With frieze of advancing figures. 26.3 grams, 32 mm



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector, collection number 063. London collection, 2016.