Lion-demon and war god

between 1894 B.C. and 1595 B.C.
hematite
22.5 x 13.5 mm
Morgan Seal 381
Provenance: 
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes: 

"The scene of 381 includes a lion-demon about to stab a man, and that of 382 depicts two figures apparently killing a third: these themes may refer to activities of Nergal and his associates, and on this basis the deity with scimitar appearing in these scenes may be identifiable with that god... Notable among the small figures and designs on these seals is the goat-fish on which the goddess of 381 is standing. This monster is occasionally seen on Old Babylonian seals and appears in a single instance on a cylinder of the Third Dynasty of Ur... The thickset figures of this seal recall those on an impression of the time of Sumu-la-ilu, second king of the First Dynasty of Babylon (Louvre A. 477), which bears a similar scene. Seal 381 may therefore be a product of the same time." . Porada, CANES, p. 47

Summary: 

Lion-demon brandishing dagger and holding reversed man -- Worshiper facing god armed with scimitar -- Goddess standing on goat-fish and holding flowing sprinkler under fish -- In field: crescent above ball staff; indeterminable animal.

Place: 
Southern Mesopotamia.
Classification: 
Department: