Asset number
1613191341
Description
Banded white and cream with pale brown eye sardonyx/agate cylinder seal, some bands have been preferentially etched white; monster with insect. A winged griffin passant to the right is placed on the ground line; the head is shown from a three-quarter angle so that both eyes are visible as prominent drill-holes, but only one pointed ear is depicted; the beak is hooked and the mane is marked by short strokes along the crest of the neck, the tufted tail curves upwards, the forelegs are those of a lion and end in paws shown by drill-holes and the hind legs are those of a bird of prey and end in talons; the wing sweeps obliquely back from the wide, lower ridge and the feathers are singled out by fine lines splayed round at the tips; the modelling is light with a pronounced horizontal line marking the rib area and curved lines at the haunches. Above the tail of the creature, an insect hovers, the pointed projection from its round head suggesting that it is a horse-fly; the etched white bands… (See Merlin record for full description)
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