Description:

Ancient Near East, Mesopotamia, Sumer, Early Dynastic Period, 1st Dynasty of Lagash, reign of Enmetena (also Entemena) of Girsu, ca. 2500 to 2350 BCE. A rare clay foundation cone of stunningly complete form exhibiting a conical body and a discoid head. Inscribed on the body are dozens of lines of text in dedication of Enmetena, governor of Lagash, and translated as such: "For Inanna and Lugal-emus, En-metena, ruler of Lagash, built the E-mus, their beloved temple, and embellished it with inscribed clay nails. The personal god for En-Metena, the builder of the E-mus, is Sul-MUSxPA. At that time En-Metena, ruler of Lagash, and Lugal-kinesh-dudu, ruler or Uruk, established brotherhood." Size: 3.1" W x 7.7" H (7.9 cm x 19.6 cm); 9" H (22.9 cm) on included custom stand.

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1999.190.1

Provenance: private Greenwich, Connecticut, USA collection, via descent, acquired in Western Europe in the 1950s - 1960s

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#185911

  • Condition: Minor abrasions to surface and light softening to some cuneiform characters, otherwise intact and excellent. Great preservation to most cuneiform characters. Previous inventory number handwritten atop discoid head.

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May 31, 2024 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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