Worshiper

between 800 and 700 B.C.
brownish steatite, flecked with red and black
9 x 16 x 13.5 mm
Morgan Seal 790
Provenance: 
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes: 

"The stamp seals.. that can be related to Neo-Assyrian cylinders (789-794) have been grouped as Neo-Assyrian, even though it is possible that some of them were not made in Assyria... Seal 790, hwich shows linear engraving, is probably of non-Assyrian origin, since the portrayal of the worshiper in striding posture, with his shoulders in frontal view, is unlike the Assyrian rendering of worshipers; the latter stand with their feet close together, and are seen entirely in profile. The seal may be Syrian or Palestinian, since it has an Aramaic inscription and a scaraboid shape. These features, however, do occasionally occur in Assyrian and Babylonian glyptic, from the latter part of the eighth century on; the appearance of such inscriptions is explained by the fact that Aramaic had come into use at this time in both Assyria and Babylonia."--Porada, CANES, p. 96-97
Scaraboid stamp.

Summary: 

Worshiper -- Before worshiper, bird above plant -- Behind worshiper, Aramaic inscription.

Classification: 
Department: