Lot 877
Interesting Foundation Cone in Ceramic. Mesopotamia, c. 2150-1850 BC. Ceramic tapered cone with wide rounded "head." In a pink-beige with creme exterior slip. Vertical lines of cuneiform encircle the body. A modest chip on the head and small graze are the only imperfections in this very well preserved object. Height: 4-1/2". A neat, early inscribed artifact, perhaps as early as Ur III, from the reign of the famed Gudea, or more likely Isn-Larsa or early Old Babylonian.
Estimated Value $650 - 950.
Multiples of these cones were produced with identical inscriptions and were embedded into the walls foundations of buildings or temples, and usually gave the names of the Ruler and to what gods the temple in question was dedicated to, so that if it fell into disrepair, it may be later rebuilt and re-dedicated to the same god. The cones were also called "nails" because of their resemblance of shape. The exposed ends of these cones were usually painted in bright colors and set in mosaic patterns.
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| Realized $374 |
