between 2340 B.C. and 2150 B.C.
black serpentine ;
Morgan Seal 200
Description
1 cylinder seal : black serpentine ; 41 x 28.5 mm
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 who bears on each shoulder flowing vase with fishes along its streams and stands with foot on mountain, confronting two-faced god who holds two sticks -- Minor god with long staff, shouldering stick, preceding bird-man pushed by bull-man(?).
Catalog link
Classification
Place
Southern Mesopotamia.
Department