Goddess with ring on star-studded chair

between 704 B.C. and 691 B.C.
yellowish chalcedony
39 x 18 cm.
Morgan Seal 700
Provenance: 
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes: 

"Seals 696-698 are probably somewhat later in date, since their execution is more cursory. This is especially obvious in the rendering of the stars, which are merely indicated by globes. The same rendering can be observed in 699-701, which, however, vary from the previously described stones in presenting a deity, probably a goddess, seated before a table decked with a repast. The back of the chair in which the figure sits is decorated with stars, indicated by globes in the same manner as on the chair of a goddess in the rock relief at Maltai, which dates from the time of Sennacherib (704-691 B.C.). Seals 699-701 may therefore be assigned to approximately the same period."--Porada, CANES, p. 84

Summary: 

Goddess with ring (indicated by two straight lines) on star-studded chair, facing worshiper; between them, winged sun disk above table with cloth and bird -- Seven globes in sky -- Rhomb in field -- Terminal: star above tasseled spade.

Place: 
Southern Mesopotamia.
Classification: 
Department: