Description:

Ancient Near East, Mesopotamia, Sumer, city of Lagash, Neo-Sumerian period, reign of Gudea of Lagash, ca. 2120 to 2090 BCE. A finely preserved, hand-built clay foundation cone exhibiting a tapered, conical body and a discoid head. Inscribed around the body are 12 lines of cuneiform text which is formed by impressing a sharpened stick into the clay just before being placed inside a kiln. Foundation cones like this example - also referred to as dedication pegs or funerary pegs - were inscribed with prayers or praises for specific gods or rulers. When translated this cone reads, "For Ningirsu, the mighty warrior of Enlil, Gudea, governor of Lagash, who built the Eninnu (temple) of Ningirsu, (also) built his Epa, the temple of seven sectors." Size: 4.2" L x 2.1" W (10.7 cm x 5.3 cm)

For a stylistically similar example, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 45.90

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report is available to the buyer upon request.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#138545

  • Condition: Minor nicks, abrasions, and encrustations to body and head, with light softening to some cuneiform characters, otherwise intact and very good. Nice earthen deposits throughout. One TL drill hole atop discoid head.

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April 21, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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