God with mace and war goddess

between 1894 B.C. and 1595 B.C.
hematite
24.5 x 14 mm
Morgan Seal 378
Provenance: 
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes: 

Cylinder chipped.
"The war goddess Ishtar, first pictured on Akkad cylinders, as in 237, appears in numerous Old Babylonian seal desins. 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). This figure is frequently followed by a suppliant goddess... 378 bears designs not hitherto encountered in the seals of this collection--a crescent stand, a vase with three leaves protruding, and rosettes in the sky." Porada, CANES, p. 46

Summary: 

"God with mace facing suppliant goddess; worshiper carrying kid before war goddess -- In field: vessel above ball staff; rosette above nude female; second rosette above vase with three leaves protruding; crescent stand above crook." Porada, CANES, p. 46

Place: 
Southern Mesopotamia.
Classification: 
Department: