Details

LOT 0221

Old Babylonian Hematite Cylinder Seal with the Moon God Sin

MESOPOTAMIA, 1900-1700 B.C.

3/4 in. (5.9 grams, 18 mm).

With incuse frieze; accompanied by 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 9.5 mm., condition good. Three standing figures: to the right a standing god with horned tiara, holding a scimitar in the left hand, the right clasped at the waist; facing him a standing goddess holding a spouting jar, above her a fish perhaps with lion's face; to the left a god with short dress holding up a shepherd's crook. Old Babylonian, c. 1800-1600 B.C., but probably from northern Mesopotamia. The god with the crook is Amurru, god of shepherding. The other two cannot be identified.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Mr K. Kobayashi, Osaka, Japan, prior to 1992.

Accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1992.