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cylinder seal
Object Type
cylinder seal
Museum number
103317
Description
Cylinder seal; mottled green and black serpentine; A bearded god, wearing a multiple-horned head-dress and a striped skirt, carries a branch of vegetation (possibly symbolising the tablets of destiny stolen by the Zu bird) in a cleft stick or plough over his shoulder. A similarly attired god is grasping the captive bird-man (possibly the Zu-bird) with one hand while threatening him with a dart. The bird-man has his hands tied behind his back and has a rope around his neck which is held by a bearded god who wears a multiple-horned head-dress and a flounced skirt. They are standing before the seated water-god and patron of crafts Ea who also wears a multiple-horned head-dress, is clad in a flounched robe and has double streams of water flowing from his shoulders on either side, with two small fish leaping before him. Above is a star.
Cultures/periods
Akkadian
Production date
2250BC
Production place
Made in:
Asia
Materials
serpentine
Dimensions
Diameter:
2.70 centimetres
Height:
3.90 centimetres
Bibliographic references
Collon 1982a / Catalogue of the Western Asiatic Seals in the British Museum: Cylinder Seals II: Akkadian, Post Akkadian, Ur III Periods
(202)
Wiseman 1962a / Catalogue of the Western Asiatic Seals in the British Museum: Cylinder Seals I: Uruk - Early Dynastic Periods
(36)
Boehmer R M 1965a / Die Entwicklung der Glyptik wahrend der Akkad-Zeit
Location
On display
(G56/dc11)
Subjects
mythical figure/creature
arms/armour
fish
deity
plant
Associated names
Named in inscription:
Ea
Named in inscription:
Zu Bird
Acquisition name
Purchased from:
I Élias Géjou
Acquisition date
1911
Department
Middle East
BM/Big number
103317
Registration number
1911,0408.7