1. Assyrian Cuneiform -- ADAD-NIRARI I (1305 - 1274 BC). Palace foundation brick with cuneiform describing the reinforcement of a canal. Assur: c. 1305 - 1274 BC. Large cuneiform brick (405 x 150 x 76 mm). Provenance: EJ Gold, Northern California Museum of Ancient Art, deaccessioned 1970s; Joel L. Malter (private collection).
a remarkable survival of a large cuneiform brick, few of which remain in private hands. This brick was laid into the foundation of a palace at Assur the text bestowing the following blessing: "Palace (property of) Adad-nirari, ruler son of Arik-din-ilii, ruler, (brick) belonging to the embankment wall facing the river/canal …". Adad-nirari I was King of Assyria from about 1305-1274 BC. He is the earliest Assyrian kings whose annals survive in detail. His conquests included northern Mesopotamia, which incorporated the Mitanni empire and thus united the Mesopotamian region.
est. $3000 – $5000