Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0233

Western Asiatic Sumerian Bulla Containing Tokens

4TH MILLENNIUM BC

2" (63.6 grams, 50mm).

A hollow ceramic bulla envelope containing tokens, decorated with reserved figures of animals and plants.

Provenance

Part of a specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman; examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and early 1990s; this small collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples; accompanied by a copy of Professor Lambert’s notes.

Footnotes

It is believed that there are less than 250 (complete and fragmentary) examples of this type of bulla envelope worldwide and no example has ever been offered at auction. The outer clay envelop contains a number of pre-baked accounting tokens which were used in commercial and stock-taking transactions.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0233

Western Asiatic Sumerian Bulla Containing Tokens

Sold for (Inc. bp): £6,500

Print page

RELATED LOTS

    WESTERN ASIATIC SASSANIAN STAMP SEAL WITH CALF AND LION
    3rd-7th century AD
    Lot No. 1843
    Sold for (Inc. premium): £150
    WESTERN ASIATIC GEOMETRIC CYLINDER SEAL
    2nd millennium BC
    Lot No. 1922
    Sold for (Inc. premium): £44
    WESTERN ASIATIC LION AMULET
    2nd-1st millennium BC
    Lot No. 1858
    Sold for (Inc. premium): £31

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list