LOT 0735

Western Asiatic Necklace Amulet from Kurigalzu, King of Babylon

14TH CENTURY BC

1 1/4" (3.99 grams, 30mm).

A roughly crescent-shaped amulet with cuneiform inscription; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Inscribed Centrepiece of Necklace in Vanded Agate 32 x 18 mm. This is roughly of crescent shape, pierced horizontally. One side bears the cuneiform inscription:

To Enlil
Kurigalzu gave (this necklace).

Kurigalalzu was a king of Babylon of the Cassite dynasty, but two kings of the same name are known, the first c. 1380 B.C., the second 1333-1308 B.C. The necklace was meant to be put on a statue of the god Enil as a gift from the king. There is some chipping, but most of the object remains.'

Property of a London gentleman; part of his family collection since the 1970s.