Water god, two-faced god, and two minor gods carrying plant and bird-man

Download image: 
between 2340 B.C. and 2150 B.C.
black serpentine
32.5 x 19.5 mm
Morgan Seal 198
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. Seal 198 shows the captive brought hanging from a mace, while a plant--presumably stolen by him--is carried pendant from a stick in a procession led by the water god's two-faced minister." Porada, CANES, p. 25

Summary: 

Enthroned water god holding flowing vase, crescent in sky before him -- Approaching, two-faced god preceding two minor gods, the first carrying plant hung from curved stick, the second carrying bird-man hanging from mace.

Place: 
Southern Mesopotamia.
Period: 
Classification: 
Department: