cylinder seal

Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience.

Object Type
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
Production date: 2250BC
Production place: Made in: Asia
Materials
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
Acquisition date: 1911
Department: Middle East
BM/Big number: 103317
Registration number: 1911,0408.7

Free entry

Opening hours