LOT 0244

Mitanni Hematite Cylinder Seal with Mythical Bird

CIRCA 1500-1350 B.C.

7/8 in. (11 grams total, seal: 24.3 mm).

Cylinder with animals, restrung red stone bead to each end; accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Description of Cylinder Seal of brown hematite, 24 x 12 mm. Condition fine. In the centre a mythical bird figure stands while to either side are arranged symmetrically a horned animal above a lion. The remaining space is filled with a lozenge shape above a horned animal with wings above a fish. The whole design is enclosed by a horizontal line above and below. This seal in a typical Mitanni "elaborate style" specimen, c.1500-1350 B.C., from anywhere between the edges of Kurdistan in the East and the Mediterranean in the West. The identity of the bird-figure is unknown, and the symbolism of the animals and fishes is similarly not known. As usual with most Mitanni seals, the whole design was cut with mechanical means the drill and the cutting wheel.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression.

Private collection, London, UK.

Accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1986.