An Assyrian Gypsum Alabaster Foundation Plaque, reign of Tukulti-Ninurta I, circa 1243-1207 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."

from Tukulti-Ninurta's temple of Ishtar at Assur
Dr. Eddy Ch. Schacht, Baden Baden, acquired in the summer of 1917 from Sheikh Selim on a ride from Assur to Hatra
acquired by the present owner circa 1988

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)

Very good and as shown, corners chipped, front and sides polished smoother than back, scratches and minute nicks overall, fresher nicks and scratches on back, overall surface is very dirty (palm grease, etc.)
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

On the Ishtar Temple of Tukulti-Ninurta I at Assur, which was excavated during the first two decades of the 20th Century, see W. Andrae, Die jüngeren Ischtar-Tempel in Assur (Ausgrabungen der Deutschen Orient-Gesellschaft in Assur. A, Baudenkmäler aus Assyrischer Zeit ; 5.; Wissenschaftliche Veröffentlichung der Deutschen Orient-Gesellschaft ; Heft 58), Osnabrück, 1935. Also see H. Frankfort, The Art and Architecture of the Ancient Orient, Baltimore, 1955, p. 69, figs. 25-26.

Dr. Eddy Schacht is known to have practised medicine in Aswan in Egypt before World War I. He was mayor of Baden-Baden from January 14th until September 1946.