between 2000 B.C. and 1750 B.C.
hematite ;
Morgan Seal 933
Description
1 cylinder seal : hematite ; 19 x 11 mm
Provenance
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes
"Seal 933 manifests the linear execution that is believed to indicate a dating earlier than that of the second Syrian group. The occurrence of griffin-demons in 932 and 933 should be noted, since this demon appears more and more frequently in Syrian designs, subsequently also in the art of northern Mesopotamia at the time of the Mitannian empire, and finally in Assyria."--Porada, CANES, p. 122-123
Summary
Two armless griffin-demons, each on one knee behind female deity wearing crown of Egyptian goddess--composed of horns inclosing sun disk--and holding life sign in one hand while other hand grasps streams flowing from vase in sky -- Before her, figure in posture of god with mace -- Three animal heads in field.
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Department