LOT 0183

Old Babylonian Cylinder Seal with Two Standing Figures

2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.

1 1/8 in. (8.96 grams, 27 mm).

Representing a god in short mantle and round cap with upturned brim, holding a mace in his left hand, before him a goddess standing in a horned crown and kaunakes, her hands raised in supplication; accompanied by a museum-quality impression.

Ex Mr J.K. collection, USA.
Acquired from the above, 1997.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12581-232131.

Cf. Eisen G.A., Ancient oriental cylinder and other seals with a description of the collection of Mrs. William H. Moore, Chicago, 1942, no.64, for a similar seal from the Old Babylonian Empire.

The seals of the First Isin Dynasty were much more varied than those just preceding the Third Dynasty of Ur. Often the chief god - probably Shamash - is standing, and the 'introducing' goddess is facing him, while the worshipper is not pictured. The seals are a mine for the understanding of the old Babylonian costume. The tunic of the female goddess here is made of tufted material that the Greeks called kaunakes, the weave of which imitated the effect of the earlier sheepskin costumes.