A KASSITE CHALCEDONY CYLINDER SEAL

CIRCA 1600-1150 B.C.

Details

A KASSITE CHALCEDONY CYLINDER SEAL
CIRCA 1600-1150 B.C.
With a standing bearded figure wearing an ankle-length robe, in front a seated upward-gazing dog, three lozenges, a cross and an ear of barley in the field, with six lines of Sumerian inscription reading: 'Marduk, great lord, prince into whose hand the decrees of heaven and underworld are entrusted, may the servant who reveres you be well favoured in your presence, may he have a personal god and protecting angel'
1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) high

Provenance

Private collection, Germany, acquired early 1980s.
Translated by Professor W. G. Lambert, University of Birmingham, September 1983.

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

PUBLISHED:
M. Dietrich and O. Loretz (eds), Internationales Jahrbuch für die Altertumskunde Syrien-Palästinas, Band 35, 2003, p. 553, no. 46.

Dogs often represented the goddess of healing, Gula, and an ear of barley often symbolised the goddess of grain, Nissaba.

More from Antiquities

View All