WESTERN ASIATIC CYLINDER SEAL WITH GODDESS FOR NAMED GATEKEEPER
21st-19th century BC
A haematite cylinder seal engraved with the figure of a female deity in long robes leading a male by the hand; male worshipper has shaved head and wears long robes; to the front of the figures a male deity sat on a throne wearing long robes and cap with horns, hand stretched forward in greeting; to the front large crescent moon; behind the seated deity a naked male facing forward holding a door post; behind, two lines of cuneiform text; accompanied by a handwritten scholarly note by Timothy Kendall which states: 'Steatite cylinder seal / Mesopotamia, Isisn-Larsa Period ca. 2000 - 1800 BC. / ht. 27 mm, diam. 14 mm. / A goddess leads forward a beardless votary / into the presence of an enthroned god, seated / on a throne with sides carved with a dragon. / Behind the god stands a bearded nude gate keeper holding a door post. Two lines / of cuneiform text naming the owner of the / seal and his father, with two cuneiform signs / under the feet of the gatekeeper. / Timothy Kendall.' 9.03 grams, 27mm (1").
Condition
Very fine condition.
Provenance From an old British private collection; formed between 1975 and 1985.