Sumerian Cuneiform Small Clay Foundation Nail / Cone Ur III - Circa, BC For Sale

Up for sale is an ancient Mesopotamian foundation cone (or clay nail) featuring a cuneiform inscription.These objects were traditionally embedded into the mud-brick walls of temples or public buildings to serve as a permanent record of a King’s dedication to a deity.

Provenance; from a former UK private collection.

The Translation;

"For Ningirsu, the mighty warrior of Enlil, Gudea, ruler of Lagash, made everything appear as it should; he built for him his Eninnu, the White Thunderbird, and restored it to its place."

Dedicated to the godNingirsu, the "mighty warrior" of the chief godEnlil.

Identifies the donor asGudea, the Governor (Ensi) of the city-state ofLagash.

States that he made the proper offerings/renovations and built theEninnu Temple(literally "House of 50"), also called the "White Thunderbird."