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A Winged Hero Pursuing Two Ostriches
Cylinder seal and impression
Mesopotamia, Middle Assyrian period
(ca. 1250–1150 B.C.)
Marble
31 x 14 mm
Seal no. 606
Inscription abraded in antiquity.
Rotate seal
See CORSAIR catalog record for this item »
In one of the most striking of the Morgan's Middle Assyrian
seals, a hero pursues an adult ostrich, possibly representing
the earthly equivalent of the griffin, the conveyor of death.
The fleeing ostrich, with its head turned back in fear and
fury and its feathers bristling, ranks among the greatest
Mesopotamian depictions of animals. In the biblical Book of
Job (39:13–17), the ostrich is considered a malevolent creature
because it disdains its young, which may account for the
presence of the young ostrich and enhances our understanding
of this extraordinary seal.
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The programs of The Morgan Library & Museum are made possible with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
Background images: Photography by Todd Eberle unless otherwise noted. © 2006 Todd Eberle.
