Cylinder seal from Old Assyrian trade outpost
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Object number
AR2448-15
| Object: |
Cylinder seal from Old Assyrian trade outpost
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| Material: |
Haematite.
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| Period: |
Old Assyrian, approx. 1950 BC to 1850 BC. Middle Bronze Age. |
| Description: |
Cylindrical seal with drill hole along the central axis. A mythological scene is carved deeply into the mantle of the seal. The seal impression shows two fighting scenes, each with a hero and bull man. A vessel and a ball-staff act as fillers. A later investigation has revealed that the seal is most probably from the Old Assyrian Empire. The glyptics parallel those from the Anatolian colonies. Most famous are the finds from Kültepe Layer II. The city was an Old Assyrian trade outpost during the period. |
| Background: |
Around 1900 BC the Old Assyrian trade introduced cylinder seals to Anatolia. The most popular material was haematite. The designs were quickly adapted to the local style. Cylinder seals from Anatolia showed people, animals and hybrid beasts, but also stars and symbols. The basic elements were often combined to scenes with naturalistic details. This could be for example mythological or religious scenes, fighting or hunting scenes. Characteristics of the new Anatolian style in the Old Assyrian trade outposts are big eyes, dominant noses, fingers and claws. This seal examplifies some of those characteristics. It is a piece worthy of an exhibition on the Old Assyrian trade colonies. |
| Dimensions: |
19.5mm length, 11mm diameter.
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| Condition: |
Near perfect condition. Only slight wear and chips along the edges. Including high quality seal impression.
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| Provenance: |
Acquired 2018 on the British art market. Previously in an important London private collection containing several hundred ancient seals. The piece was acquired for the collection between 1970 and 1988, collection no. PL15.
While in the London collection the cylinder seal was inspected and described by Professor Lambert. A copy of his notes is available. Wilfred George Lambert (1926 to 2011), a British archeologist specialized on Western Asia, was a professor at the University of Birmingham. After his retirement he was active in the ancient near eastern department of the British Museum. |
| References: |
Cf. Keel-Leu, H. & Teissier, B. Die Vorderasiatischen Rollsiegel (2004), no. 298 to 302.
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| Literature: |
M. Larsen, The Old-Assyrian city state and its colonies (1976).
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| Authenticity: |
We guarantee the authenticity of this object and all works of ancient art sold by us for life.
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