Cuneiform Foundation Cone Dating to the Period of Lipit-Ishtar

Culture: Sumerian

Period: 1934-1924 B.C.

Material: Clay

Dimensions: 13 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 6212

Provenance: Collection Duroc-Danner, Geneva, acquired on 6 October 1969 at C.A. Bateman. Since then in family estate. With a copy of the original invoice.

Condition: Intact

Description: Foundation cone of light clay with a flat base and rounded edges from the Sumerian city-state Isin. The finely pressed inscription is almost completely revolving and originates from the period of Lipit-Ishtar, the fifth king of the 1st dynasty from Isin. See for reference a foundation cone in: “A Glimpse into the Past – The Joseph Ternbach Collection“, number 24, page 47. The translation reads: Column 1: “1. I am Lipit-Ishtar, 2. the devoutly serving shepherd, 3. to the city of Nippur, 4. the faithful peasant, 5. of the city of Ur, 6. who never neglects, 7. the city of Eridu, 8. the worthy prince, 9. for the city of Uruk, 10. the king of Isin, 11. the king of Sumer and Akkad.” Column 2: “1. The fondest wish, 2. of goddess Inanna. 3. As, 4. I established, 5. justice, 6. in Sumer and Akkad, 7. I erected, 8. the temple of justice, 9. the Namgarum (communication site), 10. the paramount place, 11. of the gods.” This inscription with the titular of the king, as well as his reference to the new jurisdiction was found on bricks and seals in Ur, Uruk and Isin.