Lot 55A
Ancient Near East, Neo-Assyrian period, ca. 800 to 600 BCE. A nice example of a black stone cylinder seal, drilled through vertically, with an incised motif depicting three standing human or god-like figures a staff, a dog, and an ibex. Size: 0.8" H (2 cm)
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. They also link our modern world to the past; thousands of years ago, people were concerned with security and authenticity for the documents that they used to conduct business. Cylinder seals were the solution to a pressing problem, and their scenes are often complex to prevent forgery and identify individuals.
Provenance: private Carlton collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired between 1965 and 1980
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#127988
- Condition: Light wear commensurate with age but motifs are very clear. Accompanied by a modern clay impression.
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