War goddess and god with mace

between 1894 B.C. and 1595 B.C.
hematite
24.5 x 12 mm
Morgan Seal 374
Provenance: 
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes: 

"The war goddess Ishtar, first pictured on Akkad cylinders, as in 237, appears in numerous Old Babylonian seal designs. The main difference between the Akkad representations and those of the present group is that in the latter the weapons no longer sprout from the shoulders of the goddess but are transformed by a more literal realism into arrows contained in two quivers slung over her shoulders, and into a lion club held in her hand... In her other hand she holds a scimitar. She is always seen full face. Often, as in 371-374, 377, there stands before her a figure referred to as the god with a mace (p. 51)... As regards small designs in the field, those in 374 are unusual in that the enthroned king or god is used as a small figure, and the ram's head on a staff is a rare occurrence." Porada, CANES, p. 46

Summary: 

Suppliant goddess, god with mace, war goddess -- In field: small enthroned king or god; ram's head on staff -- Terminal: inscription.

Place: 
Southern Mesopotamia.
Classification: 
Department: