between 2340 B.C. and 2150 B.C.
black serpentine
41 x 28.5 mm
Morgan Seal 200
Provenance:
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes:
"Another deity often shown on Akkad seals is the water god, Ea, who bears a vase from which two streams flow over his shoulders; usually there are fishes swimming along these streams. Seals 195-197 embody a frequent theme involving this god--that of a bird-man led captive toward the god ... Seals 199-201 have been interpreted by Frankfort as depicting the victory over Zu, the bird-man, with the water god receiving the joyous news." Porada, CANES, p. 25
Summary:
Water god who bears on each shoulder flowing vase with fishes along its streams and stands with foot on mountain, confronting two-faced god who holds two sticks -- Minor god with long staff, shouldering stick, preceding bird-man pushed by bull-man(?).
Place:
Southern Mesopotamia.
Period:
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Classification:
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