Lot 35
Ancient Near East, southern Mesopotamia, Umma (modern day Djokha), Sumerian, Third Dynasty of Ur, ca. 2020 BCE. A fine rectangular tablet that is hand-built from unfired clay. The obverse face features a seated deity along the left side facing left, a petite lion, and a standing supplicant, all beneath or beside a stamped panel containing 4 columns of raised cuneiform text. The obverse also bears 2 full and 2 partial lines of inscribed cuneiform text as well as fragments of 2 stamped panels identical to that in the center. The verso similarly contains 3 full and 1 partial lines of cuneiform text that are inscribed atop 5 full and 1 partial stamped panels identical to that on the obverse face. Though not fully translated, the context of the tablet catalogs the payment of 32 female slaves to field laborers for roughly 11 days' worth of work; it also contains the line, "The boat of Enki was caulked." The tablet is displayed within a modern Riker case. Size (tablet): 2.2" L x 1.75" W (5.6 cm x 4.4 cm); (Riker box): 6.625" W x 8.7" H (16.8 cm x 22.1 cm)
Cf. The Royal Ontario Museum, object number 994.233.1
Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection before 2000
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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#140335
- Condition: Fragment of a larger clay tablet as shown with losses to one side. Softening to some finer details, inscribed script, and stamped script panels, and light abrasions. Most characters and figures are still visible. Old inventory label along one edge. Tablet is displayed within a modern Riker case.
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| $300 | $999 | $50 |
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| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
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| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |