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cylinder seal
Object Type
cylinder seal
Museum number
18832
Description
Greenstone facies cylinder seal; contest scene: a hero attacks a lion from behind and grasps its tail and throat. The lion turns to look back at this first assailant while attempting to ward off the attack of a second who grasps its paw and throat. Alternatively the heroes may be plunging daggers into the lion's neck. Both heroes are bearded and naked except for a belt. one of heroes possibly is Gilgamesh. In the field, a star-disc, a ball-and-staff and a pot - all of which were probably added later at the time when the inscription was cut; terminal: two lines of inscription in a frame, and another line of inscription separately in a frame.
Cultures/periods
Third Dynasty of Ur
(?)
Production date
2100BC-2000BC
Materials
greenstone
Dimensions
Diameter:
1.20 centimetres
Length:
2.20 centimetres
$Inscriptions
Bibliographic references
Sigrist M et al 1996a / Catalogue of the Babylonian Tablets in the British Museum, II
Collon 1982a / Catalogue of the Western Asiatic Seals in the British Museum: Cylinder Seals II: Akkadian, Post Akkadian, Ur III Periods
(250)
Location
Not on display
Subjects
mammal
arms/armour
vessel
planet/constellation
Associated names
Representation of:
Gilgamesh
(?)
Acquisition name
Purchased from:
Selim Homsy & Co
Acquisition date
1895
Department
Middle East
BM/Big number
18832
Registration number
1895,0329.490