WESTERN ASIATIC AKKADIAN CYLINDER SEAL FOR SCRIBE UR-DAMU, SON OF LAGAL-AZU
22nd-20th century BC
A limestone(?) cylinder seal of waisted profile with throne room scene depicting a seated figure in flounced robe and headdress on a dais with a standard to his rear facing a standing figure with horned headdress in a flounced robe holding the wrist of a third robed figure; panel with three columns of cuneiform text:
1) Ur-dDa-mu „Ur-Damu, 2) dub-sar scribe, 3) dumu Lugal-nì-zu son of Lugal-nizu“ 46 grams, 35mm (1 1/2").
Condition
Very fine condition.
Provenance From an important London, W1, collection; acquired 1960-1980s.
Literature Cf. Black, J. A. & Green, A. Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia, London 1992, p. 57: aUr-dDa-mu, the translation of this personal name is 'Servant of the god Damu'; Damu was a god of healing, driving away demons and 'binding the torn sinew,' Damu was honoured especially at Isin, and also at Larsa, Ur and perhaps Ĝirsu; Lugal-nì-zu, the translation of this personal name is 'The King is knowing', see Limet, H. ASur III, 1968, p.325.