Water god with flowing vase, god attacked by lion-headed eagles, and god brandishing mace

Download image: 
between 2340 B.C. and 2150 B.C.
rock crystal
24.5 x 16 mm
Morgan Seal 201
Provenance: 
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes: 

"Another deity often shown on Akkad seals is the water god, Ea, who bears a vase from which two streams flow over his shoulders; usually there are fishes swimming along these streams. Seals 195-197 embody a frequent theme involving this god--that of a bird-man led captive toward the god ... Seals 199-201 have been interpreted by Frankfort as depicting the victory over Zu, the bird-man, with the water god receiving the joyous news." Porada, CANES, p. 25

Summary: 

Water god, holding flowing vase with fishes along its streams, standing with foot on mountain and facing minor god -- God fallen on one knee under attack of one large and one small lion-headed eagle, larger held by god brandishing mace -- Terminal: Empty panel over small man.

Place: 
Southern Mesopotamia.
Period: 
Classification: 
Department: