between 2139 and 2113 B.C.
black serpentine
18 x 9 mm
Morgan Seal 261
Provenance:
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes:
"Seals 254-261 are distinguished by their deeply incised engraving, which is most obvious in the human faces. The subjects of these seals are all derived from Akkad designs depicting worship of deities. Ritual scenes with female participants, who are undifferentiated except by their actions (255-259), are more numerous than ritual scenes in which the principal figure is distinguished as a deity by being rendered with a horned miter (254, 260, 261)." Porada, CANES, p. 31-32
Summary:
Center: god enthroned on platform, flanked by two nude bearded heroes, each bending one knee and holding gatepost.
Place:
Southern Mesopotamia.
Period:
Catalog link:
Classification:
Department: