Sacred tree flanked by two worshipers

between 900 B.C. and 600 B.C.
black serpentine
43 x 18.5 mm
Morgan Seal 647
Provenance: 
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes: 

"In 646 and 647 the motif of worshipers and sacred tree appears in the upper register, together with the figure of a king or officer making a libation. The scene in the lower register of 646, showing two bulls charging at a rosette, is comparable to that in 635. The lower register of 647, however, presents a worshiper standing before a cow that suckles a calf while being mounted by a bull. This scene suggests a rural ritual connected with animal husbandry."--Porada, CANES, p. 76-77
Cylinder chipped.

Summary: 

Above: tree flanked by two worshipers, each grasping one of two streams falling from winged sun disk above tree -- Stand with vessels before king or officer with cup and bow, star above plant behind him -- Crescent and seven globes in sky -- Below: worshiper before cow suckling calf and mounted by bull -- Tasseled spade before kneeling bull -- In sky: crescent; wedge; star, seven globes; indeterminable sign (before worshiper).

Place: 
Southern Mesopotamia.
Classification: 
Department: