between 2340 B.C. and 2150 B.C.
shell ;
Morgan Seal 138
Description
1 cylinder seal : shell ; 22.5 x 13 mm
Provenance
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes
Cylinder partly perforated.
"The seals reflecting the transition from Early Dynastic to Akkad style still utilize the Early Dynastic group showing a hero in the center protecting ruminants against attacking lions. The characterizing feature of these cylinders appears in the postures of the animals, which have been aptly described by Moortgat [Vorderasiatische Rollsiegel, Berlin, 1940, p. 21] as producing violent zigzag lines. Sometimes, as in 137 and 138, the second lion is omitted. When the symmetry of the scheme is thus broken, the tendency of the Akkad artists toward realism comes to expression." Porada, CANES, p. 20
"The seals reflecting the transition from Early Dynastic to Akkad style still utilize the Early Dynastic group showing a hero in the center protecting ruminants against attacking lions. The characterizing feature of these cylinders appears in the postures of the animals, which have been aptly described by Moortgat [Vorderasiatische Rollsiegel, Berlin, 1940, p. 21] as producing violent zigzag lines. Sometimes, as in 137 and 138, the second lion is omitted. When the symmetry of the scheme is thus broken, the tendency of the Akkad artists toward realism comes to expression." Porada, CANES, p. 20
Summary
Lion attacking antelope clasped by hero, second antelope behind hero -- Terminal: Plant.
Catalog link
Classification
Place
Southern Mesopotamia.
Department