Details

LOT 1477

Western Asiatic Akkadian Cylinder Seal with Sun-God and Attendants

2200-2100 BC

1 1/4" (26 grams, 33mm).

A hardstone cylinder seal with frieze of figures comprising: the sun-god with rays of light emanating from his shoulders brandishing a knife with which he cut his path through the mountains over which he steps; two attendants facing him in caps and long robes, a third facing him holding open the gate of dawn; supplied with a museum-quality impression.

Provenance

Property of a London gentleman; part of his family collection since the 1970s.

Literature

Cf. Collon, D. First Impressions. Cylinder Seals in the Ancient Near East, London, 2005, item 103.

Footnotes

This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz.

CONDITION