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LOT 1267
Western Asiatic Glazed Terracotta Fertility Figure
LATE 1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
3 5/8 in. (23.2 grams, 92 mm).
Modelled in the half-round; D-shaped in section with applied black pigment detailing to hair and midriff; some iridescence.
ProvenanceEx private collection, London, UK, 1969-1999.
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LOT 1267
Western Asiatic Glazed Terracotta Fertility Figure
Estimate £150 - 200€170 - 230 (for guidance only)$200 - 270 (for guidance only)
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South Arabian Naked Couple in Erotic Embrace
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,500
Modelled in the round as two figures embracing, the upper figure with a pseudo inscription to the back; mounted on a custom-made stand. 380 grams total, 13.3 cm including stand
Formerly in the collection of Mr K. Ex collection of Mr H., acquired in Switzerland in the early 2000s. Private collection, Switzerland, acquired in 2010. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12875-241696. -
Early Dynastic Terracotta Administrative Cuneiform Tablet Recording Livestock and their Owners
IIIb, 2400-2340 B.C.Estimate: £18,000 - 24,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £10,000
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. -
Old Babylonian Terracotta Head of a Demon
1900-1800 B.C.Estimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £600
Modelled in the round, depicting the (severed?) head of a Mesopotamian demon, with iconic facial features in relief; hollow with a vent to the neck; produced from a two-piece mould, with a median seam through the facial features. 191 grams, 87 mm
Private collection, Israel. with Holy Land House of Antiquities, Jerusalem, 1980s. Acquired by the current owner from the above, 2001. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12878-241678.
Within traditional Mesopotamian religion, Humbaba was a creature regarded as the guardian of the cedar forest and the brother of Pazuzu. He was represented as a giant who had been raised by the sun god, Shamash. However, this head could also refer to another deity or demon, like one of the heads found in the Kish excavations.