Sacred tree flanked by worshiper and by mouflon

between 725 B.C. and 700 B.C.
black serpentine
38.5 x 14 mm
Morgan Seal 648
Provenance: 
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes: 

"Seal 648 presents a somewhat debased rendering of the usual theme of this group. Only one worshiper and part of a stream are depicted; the second worshiper is replaced by an animal. This cylinder should probably be dated in the latter part of the eighth century, when linear-style seals were executed more and more carelessly."--Porada, CANES, p. 77

Summary: 

Tree flanked on left by worshiper with stream flowing from his hand, on right by rampant mouflon; above tree, winged sun disk -- In sky, star, crescent, wedge, seven globes -- Terminal: stylus.

Place: 
Southern Mesopotamia.
Classification: 
Department: