LOT 0217

Mitanni Hematite Cylinder Seal with Standing Deity Opposing Sphinx

1500-1200 B.C.

3/4 in. (4.6 grams, 19 mm).

With standing figure, sphinx and horned animal, restrung pair of red stone beads, old handwritten label '1629'; 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: 'Cylinder Seal of Hematite, 19 x 7.5 mm. On the right stands a human figure in a hat with broad brim and wearing a robe to the feet. In one hand he holds an elaborate mace, no doubt the symbol of a deity. On the left is a reared up sphynx with raised wings and resting its front paws on the head of a recumbent horned animal. between the tops of the horns is a star. Two other filling motifs are: a dot and something like the horned animal's head with a long line rising above it. The design is put between upper and lower rules. This is a Mitanni 'elaborate style' seal, c. 1500-1200 B.C. It is in fine condition and is an interesting specimen of its type.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. [No Reserve]

UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983.

Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in 1992.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.