Old Babylonian Terracotta Barrel shaped Bulla
01
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10
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Current bid
€ 260
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 1,400 - € 1,700
41 other people are watching this object
 Bidder 9347 | €260 | |
|---|---|---|
 Bidder 5437 | €240 | |
| Bidder 5437 | €220 | |
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Old Babylonian terracotta barrel-shaped bulla dating to c. 1900–1800 B.C., 3.9 cm long, in excellent condition with a minor stress crack and edge chip, comes with a display stand and a Certificate of Authenticity, acquired in 1997 from a private Swiss collection.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Barrel-shaped with vertical perforation, columns of cuneiform text to the sidewall recording the rations of vegetable oil to named individuals.
Size: 3.9 cm L - 1 9/16 inch
Material: Terracotta
Culture: Old Babylonian, c. 1900-1800 B.C.
Condition: Minor stress crack and chip to edge, otherwise intact
Display stand included
Provenance: Acquired in 1997. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection since the late 1990s.
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.
Barrel-shaped with vertical perforation, columns of cuneiform text to the sidewall recording the rations of vegetable oil to named individuals.
Size: 3.9 cm L - 1 9/16 inch
Material: Terracotta
Culture: Old Babylonian, c. 1900-1800 B.C.
Condition: Minor stress crack and chip to edge, otherwise intact
Display stand included
Provenance: Acquired in 1997. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection since the late 1990s.
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
Old Babylonian
Century/ Timeframe
Old Babylonian, c. 1900-1800 B.C.
Name of object
Barrel shaped Bulla
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2020
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
United Kingdom
Condition
Excellent
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1997
Previous owner - country acquired from
Switzerland
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.
