Description:

Ancient Near East/Mesopotamia, Akkadian Empire, ca. 2334 to 2154 BCE. A carved shell cylinder seal, its rounded surface deeply incised with a complex motif of animals and mythical figures, including lions rampant. The surface of the seal has attained a pretty, glittering patina over time. Cylinder seals played a major role in the daily life of the Mesopotamians. Known as kishib in Sumerian and kunukku in Akkadian, royals, government officials, scribes, and slaves used them to transact business and send correspondence. They were worn around the neck or wrist and served as a signature and a guarantee, rolled into the moist clay of accounting and governance documents. Size: 1" W x 0.55" H (2.5 cm x 1.4 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; purportedly ex-Sotheby's

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#133073

  • Condition: Pretty sparkling patina with light encrustation. Nice preservation of motifs. Comes with modern clay roll out of the seal.

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September 13, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000