Details

LOT 0242

Old Babylonian Haematite Cylinder Seal with Inscription

CIRCA 1900-1600 B.C.

1 1/4 in. (15.9 grams, 30 mm).

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: 'Two standing gods face a complex scene. The first deity is a Lamma goddess, in horned tiara, long flounced robe, and she is raising both hands. Behind her stands the god with mace: hat with deep brim, clothes to the knees, and holding his mace at the waist. What they are witnessing is a standing monster: general build of a lion, but wings, a brush tail and talons of a bird of prey for legs. Its head is leaning down. Above it stands a god in long robe and long tiara, with one leg projecting and foot resting on some strange being. The god holds a whip over one shoulder and forked lightning in the other hand. Facing him in the distance is a small walking figure holding up some object. A two-line cuneiform inscription names two gods: Adad and Shala. This is an Old Babylonian seal, c. 1900-1600 B.C. It is somewhat worn, but the design is rare for the animal and god above it. This god is Adad, the storm god, identified by whip, forked lightning, and the animal on which he stands, which was passed down to the Old Babylonian period from the Akkad period. Thus the design is of considerable interest. Shala was the wife of Adad.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression.

Provenance

From the private collection of a North American lady, formed 1970s-early 1990s, with collection reference no.P105.

Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert.
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.