Details

LOT 0236

Neo-Babylonian Chalcedony Conoid Stamp Seal with Worshipper

600-350 B.C.

1 1/8 in. (18.8 grams, 29.79 mm high).

Thimble-shaped tapering cylinder with convex face; 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: 'Stamp Seal of Grey Chalcedony 21 x 19.5 x 30 mm. This is a conoid with oval convex face, pierced vertically near the top. The face shows a worship scene: a man in a long robe standing holding up one hand to a stand on which lies the mušhuššu-monster (part lion part snake) on the back of which rise the spade (symbol of the god Marduk) and two styluses (symbol of the god Nabû). There is a lunar crescent in the sky and a two-sign cuneiform inscription behind the man. This is a Late Babylonian seal, c. 600-350 B.C. from Mesopotamia or south-west Iran. The inscription consists of two signs: AN DUH x DUH and is well known on Late Babylonian stamp seals, but the second sign is unknown outside these seal inscriptions. The most probable explanation (based on related seal inscriptions) is that it means: "Cause him to have a god" which means "make him successful," a personal god brings success. The head of the standing figure is chipped, otherwise this seal is in very good condition, and is large for its type.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression.

Provenance

with Christie's, London, 25 April 2001, no.464 [Part].

Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in July 2001.
Accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12566-230321.
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.