Western Asiatic Terracotta Spouted Vessel

Group of pillow-shaped tablets, each with cuneiform text to the broad faces and an edge, reading: a) 'Loan of money by a deity during the reign of Sin-iqišam king of Larsa (1840-1836 BC). The tablet was sealed. Idnin-Sîn and Sutitum have obtained from the god Šamaš (a loan of) 5/6 mine 5 shekels of silver, the silver (has) an interest of 4 shekels 1/3. He° will have to repay the money at the time of sowing. Before (the god) Ea, Before (the goddess) Sugallitum Before (the god) Nanna Before Dani Seal of one (of the) witnesses... In the month of Tebitum The year of Sin-iqišam the king. b) sale of a palm grove during the reign of Nur-Adad king of Larsa (1865-1850 BC) 50 sar of orchard, planted with palm trees, next to Kunia, next to Amurutu, on the first small side: Rabutum. Sîn-pilah bought from Huzalum. He paid him its full price of 1/3 silver mine. He swore in the name of Nur-Adad the king that no one would constest in the future. In front of Itišumum In front of Sinennam Before Sugalum Before Kurušum Before Awīl-Amurrim the scribe In the month of šabatu, the year Nur-Adad (offered) a throne of justice (?) ... c) interest-free loan from the moon god Nanna, during the reign of Warad-Sîn (year 12), king of Larsa (1834-1823 BC) 12 shekels of interest-free silver, from (the moon-god) Nanna, debt of Bitanum. Before Qišti-Enlil Before Dadiya Before Sîn-šemi In the month of Innana, the 5th. The year (the king) built the temple of Ninug... inside (the city of) Maškan-šapir. d) contract for the sale of a palm grove during the reign of Sumu-el (year 26), king of Larsa (1894-1866 BC) 36 sar of orchard, planted with palm trees, next to Batuli and next to Kutanum, Sin-pilah bought from Bedi-el. He paid its full price 10... of silver. He swore in the name of the king that in the future no one would dispute. Before ... Before Sîn Dayan In front of Naqimum In front of Damu In front of Munakum In the month of Kislimu, the 4th year of the priest of Nanna.' 230 grams total, 47-58 mm



Ex private collection. with Bonhams, Antiquities, London, 21 October 1999, no.260. Private central European collection. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12244-219769. 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.

Ellipsoid in plan and plano-convex in section, reverse with invocation scene: on a baseline a kilted figure advancing towards an altar with flames, holding a cup and a plate; altar flanked by two crouching winged bulls with human heads; perching eagle to right with amphora; above a winged sun-disc and rectangular object; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 18.4 grams, 32 mm



From the Fadel family collection, London, UK, 1970s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12769-237265. 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.

The seal shows elements belonging to the period of the Achaemenid dynasty: the winged solar disc, symbol of the supreme god, Ormadz; the fire altar in the centre, a typically Zoroastrian element. The costume of the offerant is also decidedly Persian, with a short tunic at the knees and trousers of the saravara type.

Shallow with slight flange to the rim. 80 grams, 13.3 cm wide



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990-2000. 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.