Sumerian Terracotta Cuneiform Clay Administrative Tablet
Opens 19:00
Starting bid
€ 1
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 2,300 - € 2,800
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Description from the seller
Pillow-shaped with cuneiform text to both faces listing goods including 1 shekel of refined silver from Mr Enshaga. Comes with an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: “Clay tablet 58x64 mm. with 26 Compartments and One Column of Sumerian Cuneiform. This is oblong with rounded sides and edges. each side is divided into 3 columns, and all but the last two are filled with script. This is some kind of legal document from a Sumerian city not so far known for such texts. The first five columns list items, each with a number and followed by a compartment of a different kind. The last column, on the reverse, is different from the others in giving the name and title of an official who in some way presided over the transaction here recorded. Since it is without exact parallel, it is difficult to translate even when the text is clear (there is some surface damage and one corner is broken off). The items given start with "one donkey", and include a quantity of barley (3 gur of barley), "one shekel of refined silver," and "two iku" (acres of agricultural land) is the last item. after which the document concludes: "Mr Enshaga was their seller." Other items are followed by, apparently, personal names, but only once at the end does "was their seller" appears. More study and more similar documents are needed to clear up the problems. The last column begins clearly enough: Ege-anda, Nugig but the final line is not clear. Nugig is a title of a priestess, but only here, it seems, is such a lady a high official giving her blessing to the sale just recorded. This is a most interesting Sumerian document dating to the later early Dynastic periods, c. 2500 B.C.”
Size: 6.4 cm L - 2 1/2 inches
Material: Terracotta
Culture: Sumerian, Early Dynastic Period, c. 2500 B.C.
Condition: Stress cracks, otherwise intact
Provenance: Ex private collection of Mr S H; thence by descent,1980-1990. Previously with Timeline Auctions, UK.
The seller guarantees that this item has been legally acquired & will be legally exported, related documents seen by Catawiki.
This item do not need an export licence within the EU.
The seller will inform the buyer if it needs a UK export licence outside the EU
Worldwide shipping by Registered Mail.
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity
N.B. Import duties may be incurred on orders shipped to countries outside the UK.
Notice: We are not able to ship to Greece and Cyprus.
Please note our last posting date before the Christmas holidays will be 18th December. Shipping will resume 5th January 2026.
Pillow-shaped with cuneiform text to both faces listing goods including 1 shekel of refined silver from Mr Enshaga. Comes with an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: “Clay tablet 58x64 mm. with 26 Compartments and One Column of Sumerian Cuneiform. This is oblong with rounded sides and edges. each side is divided into 3 columns, and all but the last two are filled with script. This is some kind of legal document from a Sumerian city not so far known for such texts. The first five columns list items, each with a number and followed by a compartment of a different kind. The last column, on the reverse, is different from the others in giving the name and title of an official who in some way presided over the transaction here recorded. Since it is without exact parallel, it is difficult to translate even when the text is clear (there is some surface damage and one corner is broken off). The items given start with "one donkey", and include a quantity of barley (3 gur of barley), "one shekel of refined silver," and "two iku" (acres of agricultural land) is the last item. after which the document concludes: "Mr Enshaga was their seller." Other items are followed by, apparently, personal names, but only once at the end does "was their seller" appears. More study and more similar documents are needed to clear up the problems. The last column begins clearly enough: Ege-anda, Nugig but the final line is not clear. Nugig is a title of a priestess, but only here, it seems, is such a lady a high official giving her blessing to the sale just recorded. This is a most interesting Sumerian document dating to the later early Dynastic periods, c. 2500 B.C.”
Size: 6.4 cm L - 2 1/2 inches
Material: Terracotta
Culture: Sumerian, Early Dynastic Period, c. 2500 B.C.
Condition: Stress cracks, otherwise intact
Provenance: Ex private collection of Mr S H; thence by descent,1980-1990. Previously with Timeline Auctions, UK.
The seller guarantees that this item has been legally acquired & will be legally exported, related documents seen by Catawiki.
This item do not need an export licence within the EU.
The seller will inform the buyer if it needs a UK export licence outside the EU
Worldwide shipping by Registered Mail.
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity
N.B. Import duties may be incurred on orders shipped to countries outside the UK.
Notice: We are not able to ship to Greece and Cyprus.
Please note our last posting date before the Christmas holidays will be 18th December. Shipping will resume 5th January 2026.
Details
Culture
Sumerian
Century/ Timeframe
Sumerian, Early Dynastic Period, c. 2500 B.C.
Name of object
Cuneiform Clay Administrative Tablet
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2019
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
United Kingdom
Condition
Excellent
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1990
Previous owner - country acquired from
United Kingdom
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
