Ancient Near East, Mesopotamia, Sumer, city of Lagash, Neo-Sumerian period, reign of Gudea of Lagash, ca. 2120 to 2090 BCE. A nice example of a clay votive foundation cone bearing a tapered, conical body and a discoid head. Displayed around the body are 12 lines of cuneiform text that are inscribed using a sharpened stick or reed just before being placed inside a kiln. 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: 3.4" L x 2.2" W (8.6 cm x 5.6 cm)

For a 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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#155532

Lower tip of body missing. Nicks and abrasions to body and head, with light encrustations, and fading to some cuneiform characters. Nice earthen deposits throughout. One TL drill hole atop discoid head.