A male figure stands before two altars, his hands raised in a gesture of worship. The first altar is decorated with a crescent moon, the symbol for the moon god, Sin, who was particularly venerated at Ur in southern Mesopotamia. On the second altar is the image of a dog, the sacred animal and symbol of Gula, the goddess of healing and patroness of physicians, who was favored and venerated at the Babylonian city of Isin. The rest of the seal surface is void of detail or decoration, leaving an empty space that focuses one’s attention on the worshiper, his act of piety, and the objects of his devotion.
Ancient cylinder seal with modern impression: Worshiper Before Two Altars Adorned with Divine Symbols. Mesopotamia, Neo-Babylonian period (ca. 1000–539 B.C.); lapis lazuli. Overall: 1 9/16 x 11/16 in. (3.9x 1.8 cm.) Morgan Seal 781. Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.