LOT 0246

Old Babylonian Hematite Cylinder Seal for Lu-Enkika, Son of Iddin-Sin, Servant of Enki

CIRCA 1900-1700 B.C.

1 1/8 in. (19.8 grams total, seal: 28.8 mm).

Cylinder with figures and inscription, 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 Hematite, 29.5 x 14.5 mm. The original art work consists of a pair of standing figures: a Lamma goddess to the right, with both hands raised, wearing a horned tiara of divinity and a long flounced dress reaching to the feet, and facing her the god with mace, wearing a Gudes-type hat, a role which reaches to the knees, and holding a mace at the waist with his right hand. Between them in the sky is a combined sun disk and lunar crescent. A third figure to the far right is out in a different style, and was added a century or two later. It shows a standing god with projections from his headdress and holding up a long rod in his right hand. His robes reach a little above the feet. There is a three line cuneiform inscription: 'Du-Enkika, son of Iddin-Sin, servant of (the god) Enki". The inscription identifies the owner. This is an Old Babylonian seal, either from southern Iraq or from the closest parts of south west Iran, such as Susa. It dates to c. 1900-1700 B.C. and is out in the fine detailed best style of the period. After 1700 B.C., until about 1500, there existed a simplified style, using especially the mechanical tools possessed by the craftsmen of the day, namely the drill and cutting wheel. The cutting wheel was used to supply the extra figure, and this was with reasonable certainty done in Iran, not Mesopotamia. The projecting hat and the rod are paralleled in seals from Susa, see P. Amiet, Glyptique Susienne nos. 1748, 1755, for the hat, and nos. 1748, 1749, 1756 for the rod.'; 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, 1991.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13467-262421.

Cf. Buchanan, B., Early Near Eastern Seals in the Yale Babylonian Collection, New Yale and London, 1981, nos.766,834-840, for similar seals.

The Old Babylonian style produced several relatively simple yet sometimes ornate designs, some quite early but many more probably of the first half of the 18th century B.C., especially from the time of Hammurabi.