Cylinder Seals – Page 3

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Sumerian green rock crystal cylinder seal from the Jemdet Nasr period, 3100–2900 BC, with a dual register of geometric patterns. This seal measures 40 mm x 15.5 mm

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Sumerian red stone cylinder seal from the Jemdet Nasr period, 3100–2900 BC featuring an intricate and carefully carved scene featuring a human figure with upraised arms and a horned animal, with lines of dots perhaps signifying plants stalks. This seal measures 17 mm x 8 mm.

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43

Historically and artistically very significant large white marble early Sumerian cylinder seal from the Early Dynastic Period, 2900-2350 BC, featuring the legendary Gilgamesh, the Sumerian, demi-god, king of Erech, standing with Enkidu. Gilgamesh is generally seen by scholars as a historical figure, since inscriptions have been found which confirm the existence of other figures associated with him in the epic. If Gilgamesh existed, he probably was a king who reigned sometime between 2800 and 2500 BC.] The Sumerian King List claims that Gilgamesh ruled the city of Uruk for 126 years Enkidu was formed from clay and saliva by Aruru, the goddess of creation, to rid Gilgamesh of his arrogance. In the story he is a wild man, raised by animals and ignorant of human society until he is bedded by Shamhat. Thereafter a series of interactions with humans and human ways bring him closer to civilization, culminating in a wrestling match with Gilgamesh, king of Uruk. Enkidu embodies the wild or natural world. Though equal to Gilgamesh in strength and bearing, he acts in some ways as an antithesis to the cultured, urban-bred warrior-king. Enkidu then becomes the king’s constant companion and deeply beloved friend, accompanying him on adventures until he is stricken with illness and dies. The deep, tragic loss of Enkidu profoundly inspires in Gilgamesh a quest to escape death by obtaining godly immortality. It measures 31 mm x 21 mm.
From Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilgamesh

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44

Black stone cylinder seal from the Old Babylonian Period, c. 1925-1595 BC. This is of a traditional presentation scene common in the early in the Akkadian speaking Babylonian period and is stylized similarly to the seals from Isin Larsa Period. The primary identifying characteristic is that the seated official wears a helm with the horns of Marduk. In this case, it’s also dedicated to the god Sin, because of the crescent moon. The inscription is in Akkadian, probably a name. It measures 20 mm x 9.5 mm.

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45

Black stone cylinder seal in the style of the Old Babylonian Period, circa 1925-1595 BC. This is of a traditional presentation scene common in the early in the Akkadian speaking Babylonian period and is stylized similarly to the seals from Isin Larsa Period. The primary identifying characteristic is that the seated official wears a helm with the horns of Marduk. In this case, it’s also dedicated to the god Sin, because of the crescent moon. The inscription is in Akkadian, probably a name. However, the inscription is suspect as the only correct characters read “Son of…” and it is likely not genuine. It measures 20 mm x 9.5 mm.

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46

Neo-Assyrian/Median, 550-450 BC, black serpentine cylinder seal with a large tree of life symbol with a bird with outstretched wings atop, with four long-robed attendants including what appears to be a very early depiction of Ahura Mazda, the highest spirit of the Zoroastrian religion. With the standard drill hole through the center. It measures 38 mm x 13 mm.

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47

Syrian black stone, hematite, cylinder seal from the second millennium BC featuring stylized figures with arms extended pointing to or suspending a crescent and orb respectively, with a large winged bird and other symbols. It measures 20 mm x 10 mm.

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Sumerian/Akkadian white stone cylinder seal from the 24th to the 22nd Centuries BC, with a classic contest scene of two naked heroes, one facing left with arms raised and right leg extended and one facing right with horned head dress with a standing large animal facing left in between. With two columns of cuneiform. It measures 26 mm x 14 mm.

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49

Bronze provincial cylinder seal from Eastern Anatolia or Northern Syria dating from 2450-2200 BC featuring a quadruped facing right with a solar image on the right, surrounded by plants. This seal measures 18 mm x 10 mm.

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50

Brown stone cylinder seal from the late Sumerian Period, 2100-1925 BC, of a style popular in the Isin Larsa era. The elongated crescent moon is a characteristic of seals of this period and features a seated official with two standing supplicants facing right, featuring kaunakes style gowns and all wearing rounded hats, likely of woven cloth.viii

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51

Pink stone cylinder seal from 2350-2200 BC featuring a presentation scene with seated official and supplicant before. Behind zoomorphic brazier. The elongated arms and stick figure like characters indicate that this is of Akkadian origin but influenced by Syrian provincial seals of the same period.
This seal measures 24 mm x 11 mm.

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52

Old Babylonian period 2200-1800 BC, cylinder seal engraved in black silverish hematite. The scene shows the supreme god facing right holding a mace, facing left an assistant goddess with hands raised in supplication. Between them symbols of the moon and sun god and several other symbols of the god- like power.

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53

Middle Assyrian, 1400-1200 BC, very light blue faience cylinder seal with large crested birds with stars between them. Birds and stars are very common images depicted in the art from this culture during this period. This seal measures 27 mm in length and 8 mm across.

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Middle Assyrian faience cylinder seal, dating from approximately 1400-1200 BC. The seal is carved with the image of the great king in a long-fringed kilt shooting his bow at a ram with large horns. This seal is 25 mm in length.

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55

Brown limestone cylinder seal from the Middle Assyrian period, 1400-1200 BC, with a kneeling archer with a turban- like helmet or headdress shooting at a winged lion or early form of griffin with a human head, possibly a Sphinx, with a star and crescent moon above. This seal has been damaged and several large sections of the image are missing but the scene is clear and quite typical of Assyrian imagery of the time. For related examples see: Beatrice Teisser, Ancient Near East Cylinder Seals From The Marcopoli Collection, catalogue number.179, fig. 264, and Walters Museum of Art Baltimore, Accession number 42.807. It measures 30 mm x 13 mm.

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Middle Assyrian blue-white faience cylinder seal, dating c. 1400-1200 BC. The seal is carved with the image of the great King hunting a winged Griffin or Demon with his bow. This seal measures 26 mm in length.

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57

Neo-Assyrian steatite cylinder seal, 8th Century BC, with man facing with bow drawn, in crude linear style. A rabbit running, facing right. Above and behind the rabbit, geometric designs. It measures 21 mm x 9 mm.

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Neo-Assyrian, light blue faience linear type cylinder seal Circa 8th Century BC with images of striding birds. This seal measures 25 mm in length and has a hole down the length to allow for suspension or wearing on a cord.

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Neo-Assyrian, faience linear type cylinder seal Circa 8th Century BC with images of striding birds facing left. This seal measures 25 mm in length and has a hole down the length to allow for suspension or wearing on a cord.

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60

Middle Assyrian cylinder seal, dating c. 1400-1200 BC. The cylinder seal is carved with the image of Pazuzu, a Hero / Demi-god of the time, depicted as a winged beast with bearded human head, a bird, a star symbol and perhaps an alter between them. In pink faience. It measures 25 mm x 9 mm.

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