
Various Properties (Lots 118-141)
Lot 140
Two Mesopotamian terracotta cuneiform foundation cones 2
23 June – 7 July 2025, 12:00 BST
Online, London, New Bond StreetSold for £2,816 inc. premium
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Two Mesopotamian terracotta cuneiform foundation cones
Second Dynasty of Lagash, reign of Gudea, circa 2124 B.C and reign of Ishme-Dagan, circa 1953-1935
The Sumerian cone with mushroom-shaped head with twelve columns of text, for Gudea, the ruler of Lagash, recording the building of a "Temple of Seven Niches" for the god Ningirsu. The inscription reads:" (For) Ningirsu, the mighty warrior of Enlil, Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, who built the E-ninnu Temple of Ningirsu, built his E-gidru, the Temple of Seven Niches."; and a cone for King Ishme-Dagan in two columns, reading : Ishme-Dagan, mighty man, king of Isin, king of the four quarters (of the world), when he cancelled the tribute obligations of Nippur, the city beloved by Enlil, and excused its men from military service, he built the great wall of Isin. The name of that wall is "By the grace of Enlil, Ishme-Dagan is powerful."
14.5cm and 13.5cm (2)
The Sumerian cone with mushroom-shaped head with twelve columns of text, for Gudea, the ruler of Lagash, recording the building of a "Temple of Seven Niches" for the god Ningirsu. The inscription reads:" (For) Ningirsu, the mighty warrior of Enlil, Gudea, ruler of Lagaš, who built the E-ninnu Temple of Ningirsu, built his E-gidru, the Temple of Seven Niches."; and a cone for King Ishme-Dagan in two columns, reading : Ishme-Dagan, mighty man, king of Isin, king of the four quarters (of the world), when he cancelled the tribute obligations of Nippur, the city beloved by Enlil, and excused its men from military service, he built the great wall of Isin. The name of that wall is "By the grace of Enlil, Ishme-Dagan is powerful."
14.5cm and 13.5cm (2)
Footnotes
Provenance:
Nicholas Armstrong Collection, (1902-1995), U.K.
His partner, Mary Howett inherited from the above.
Private Collection, U.K, inherited from his aunt, Mary Howett, in 2020.