Western Asiatic Agate Bead Necklace String

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.' 172 grams, 12.2 cm



From 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.

Almond-shaped with columns of cuneiform text to one broad face and one edge. 14.55 grams, 37.4 mm



Private collection, Jerusalem, assembled in the 1970s-1980s. European private collection, acquired in 1998. 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.

A restrung designer necklace of fusiform, 'date', and other beads, some with longitudinal polychrome bands. 36.3 grams, 43 cm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. 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.