Bull on altar under canopy

between 2000 B.C. and 1800 B.C.
dark-green steatite
25 x 13 mm
Morgan Seal 1094
Provenance: 
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes: 

"The second of these groups (1091-1094) shows Cappadocian motifs, in a procession of figures toward an animal (1092) and in a bull statue on an alter (1094). Their engraving, though deep, as in the Old Assyrian group, nevertheless produces more rounded forms than are found in such Cappadocian seals. Moreover, the oval caps of the figures seem to be rather distinctive of the seals here assembled; unlike the oval caps characteristic of Cappadocian seals, they are neither striated nor brimmed. The motif of a figure drinking through a tube from a vessel,though occasionally found in Cappadocian seals (894), seems to be far more popular in the present group. The ball staff and vessel appearing in the curve of the tube in both 193 and 1094 give some indication for a dating, since these symbols occur together mainly in and after the Isin-Larsa period."--Porada, CANES, p. 153

Summary: 

Bull on altar under canopy -- Nude worshiper with cup, facing figure drinking through tube from vessel -- Under bend of tube, ball staff and vessel -- Above worshiper's cup, seven globes -- Crescent and star in sky.

Classification: 
Department: