An Assyrian Gypsum Alabaster Foundation Plaque., reign of Tukulti-Ninurta I, circa 1233-1197 B.C.

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Lot Details

Description

Property from an American Private Collection

An Assyrian Gypsum Alabaster Foundation Plaque.

reign of Tukulti-Ninurta I, circa 1233-1197 B.C.

of rectangular slightly convex form, finely engraved on one side with two columns of cuneiform inscription, the first of thirty-one lines, the second of twenty-eight lines, and on the reverse with a single column of six lines, the text translating:

"1-23) Tukulti-Ninurta, king of the universe, strong king, king of Assyria, king of kings, lord of lords, rulers of rulers, prince, lord of all, conqueror of the rebellious -- those who do not submit (to him and) who are hostile to Ashur --, defeater of the prince of the Qutu as far as the land Mehru, disperser of the forces of the land of the Shubaru and the remote lands Nairi as far as the border of Makan, strong king, capable in battle, the one who shepherds the four quarters at the heels of the god Shamash, I; son of Shalmaneser (I), king of the universe, king of Assyria; son of Adad-narari (I) (who was) also king of the universe and king of Assyria:

24-50) At that time the temple of the Assyrian Ishtar, my mistress, which Ilu-Shumma, my forefather, the prince, had previously built -- that temple had become dilapidated and I cleared away its debris. I changed its site. I founded (it) in another place. I made it more outstanding than ever before. As an addition I built the room of the Shahuru and lofty towers. I completed that temple from top to bottom. I built within a lofty dais (and) an awesome sanctuary for the abode of the goddess Ishtar, my mistress, and I deposited my monumental inscription.

51-55) May a later prince restore it (and) return my inscribed name to its place. (Then) the goddess Ishtar will listen to his prayers.

56-65) As for the one who removes my inscription and my name: May the goddess Ishtar, my mistress, extinguish his sovereignty, break his weapon, cause his manhood to dwindle away, (and) hand him over to his enemies.

37 x 27 cm.

Please note that there may be restrictions on the import of property originating from Iraq into the USA and some or all member countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council. Any buyers planning to import property originating from Iraq into any of these countries should satisfy themselves of the relevant import regime. Sotheby's will not assist buyers with the shipment of such items into the USA or the GCC. This Lot has been withdrawn from the sale.

from Tukulti-Ninurta's temple of Ishtar at Ashur

Dr. Eddy Charles Schacht (1872-1952), Baden Baden, acquired in the summer of 1917 from Sheikh Selim on a ride from Assur to Hatra

Art market, Baden Baden

Private collection, Germany, acquired from the above circa 1960

Private collection, Germany, acquired from the estate of the above circa 1988 (Sotheby's, New York, December 10th, 2008, no. 62, illus).

acquired by the present owner at the above sale

Published

Ernst Weidner, Die Inschriften Tukulti-Ninurtas I und seine Nachfolger (Archiv für Orientforschung, Beiheft 12), Graz, 1959, pp. IX and 18, no. 9, pls. IV and IX

Albert Kirk Grayson, Assyrian Royal Inscriptions, vol. 1 (Records of the Ancient Near East, I), Wiesbaden, 1972, LXXVIII 9

Albert Kirk Grayson, Assyrian Rulers of the Third and Second Millennia B.C.(to 1115 B.C.), Toronto, 1987, pp. 257-258, no. 13 (T-N I A.O.78.13)