Lot 104C
Ancient Near East, Neo-Babylonian Dynasty, reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, ca. 604 to 561 BCE. An important terracotta brick, stamped with a dedication to the most famous of all Kings of Babylon – Nebuchadnezzar II. The brick is rectangular with a border panel enclosing the text. The importance of this inscribed clay record is reflected by the fact that the inscription has been deciphered by Professor Lambert of Birmingham University, an internationally-renowned expert in this field. Professor Lambert’s translation reads as follows: “Brick Inscription of Nebuchadnezzar II, King of Babylon, 560 BC: 'Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, provisioner of Esagil and Ezida, prime son of Nabopolassar, King of Babylon, am I. Ebabbara, the Temple of Shamash in Larsa I restored as it was before, for Shamash, my Lord.' Cut from complete brick, but inscription complete.” Size: 9" W x 5.5" H (22.9 cm x 14 cm).
Following the defeat of the Assyrian Empire by the Babylonians in 612 BCE, Nebuchadnezzar II rebuilt the city of Babylon on a grand scale. It has been estimated that roughly 15 million baked bricks were used in the construction of official buildings. The bricks are usually square and often bear cuneiform inscriptions, generally made with a large stamp as seen here. This example was cut from such a complete brick.
A similar example hammered for 5,250 British Pounds ($7,392.80) at Christie's London, South Kensington Antiquities Including the Plesch Collection of Ancient Glass Auction, 28 April, 2009, lot 97
Provenance: private Davis Collection, Houston, Texas, USA
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#132825
- Condition: Surface wear commensurate with age, small nicks to both sides and peripheries as shown, fading to inscribed text, and some light discoloration, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits throughout.
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