Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Contest frieze with nude bearded hero, bull, lions, and horned animal

ca. 2370 B.C.
black serpentine ;
Morgan Seal 84
Description
1 cylinder seal : black serpentine ; 23 x 13 mm
Provenance
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes
"Seals 80-84 probably originated in the same time [as Seal 78], since the small figures on these seals are in the same style as those on the impression of the seal of Barnamtarra, Lugalanda's wife." Porada, CANES, p. 13
Summary
Nude bearded hero grasping bull -- Latter attacked by one of two crossed lions, second of which is attacking second horned animal -- Ball staff in field -- Terminal: horizontal with crescent, lion-griffin, and vessel above, bull below.
Classification
Place
Southern Mesopotamia.
Department