Bull placed over spear held by manikin and by small female figure

between 2000 B.C. and 1750 B.C.
hematite
20 x 11 mm
Morgan Seal 905
Provenance: 
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes: 

"The cylinders of this group [900-908] contain a number of features distinctive of Cappadocian and of Syrian glyptic, besides some Mesopotamian elements, though the latter are less prominent here than in the Old Assyrian and in the provincial Babylonian group. ... Among the Cappadocian features is the statue of a bull, here depicted without a rump protuberance (902, 905). Nevertheless, this bull is probably meant to represent a statue, since it seems to be mounted on a pole in 905; in Cappadocian impressions of this style, a similarly rendered bull appears on an altar. ... The manikin on one knee, obviously in the act of worship (902-905), is paralleled in Cappadocian seals (886, 887, 890) and impressions; it appears only later on Syrian (942, 943) and Mitannian (1015) seals. ... The principal Mesopotamian feature is the use of the traditional theme of worship of an enthroned deity, in flounced robe and horned miter, holding a cup (901-903, 905)."--Porada, CANES, p. 114

Summary: 

"Bull placed over spear held by manikin on one knee and by small female with worshiping female facing entire group -- God in ascending posture on lion, holding mace and facing enthroned god with cup over which snake is coiled -- Before enthroned god, star in crescent, monkey above manikin on one knee, two globes -- Over bull, hare; before bull, altar."--Porada, CANES, p.115

Classification: 
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