Description:

Mesopotamia, Ur, ca. 2000 BCE. This is a clay tablet with cuneiform writing on side, and is probably a late example of the form. These tablets were once referred to as "dog biscuits" by a former Director of the British Museum, but they are actually among the most important archaeological discoveries ever made (and the British Museum has since updated their display to reflect that). Cuneiform is one of the world's oldest known systems of writing, made by putting wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets using a reed as a stylus. Surviving cuneiform tablets were burned and hardened, often unintentionally in the fires that were a constant problem in pre-modern urban life. These tablets discussed everything from inventories to daily events, with some of the most charming being tablets upon which young students practiced their writing for future careers as scribes. Size: 1" x 2-1/4" x 3-1/4" deep. Provenance: Ex-Pearson Collection, ex-Glen Woods Collection, Dallas, TX All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. #110193

  • Condition: Somewhat fragmentary and repaired, although it is intact aside from one corner. Evidence of writing.

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September 24, 2015 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000