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Near Eastern Art :
Cylinder Seals : Cylinder Seal of a Black/Green Stone
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Cylinder Seal of a Black/Green Stone - OF.282
Origin: Central Asia
Circa: 2000
BC
to 1700
BC
Dimensions:
1.16" (2.9cm) high
x 0.4" (1.0cm) wide
Collection: Near Eastern
Style: Babylonian
Medium: Stone
£2,200.00
Location: Great Britain
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| Description |
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Cylinder seals are characteristic artifacts of
ancient Mesopotamian civilization and are
considered some of their finest artistic
achievements. The seals first appear during the
Protoliterate Period (around 3400–2900 B.C.),
and, although the earliest examples were
engraved with primarily geometric, magical, or
animal patterns, later seals incorporated the
owner's name and depicted a variety of motifs.
Sometimes the elements were arranged in
symmetrical, decorative patterns; often, however,
an action was represented. Cylinder seals were
employed in marking personal property and in
making documents legally binding by rolling the
seal across wet clay, thereby marking the unique
“signature” engraved on the cylinder. Their
fashioning and use were adopted by surrounding
civilizations, such as those of Egypt and the
Indus valley.
The design consists of two standing Lamma
goddesses facing a three-line cuneiform
inscription naming the ancient owner. The
goddesses wear horned tiaras and long
flounced robes and are raising both hands.
The inscription reads:
Gimillum,
son of Shamash-gamil,
servant of Amurru.
This is an old Babylonian seal, c.2000-1700
B.C. It is a classic type, well engraved and in
good condition. The stone is cracked but the
design remains complete. Amurru was god of
domestic animals.
- (OF.282)
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