WESTERN ASIATIC OLD BABYLONIAN CYLINDER SEAL FOR DIVINE KINGS RIN-SIN AND SHU-ILISHTU
19th century BC
A banded agate cylinder seal engraved with a standing male figure, possibly a king, between two goddesses, hands raised in worship; three lines of cuneiform text; accompanied by a hand written scholarly note by Timothy Kendall which states: 'Fine agate cylinder seal / Old Babylonian, ca 1800 BC / ht. 32 mm, diam. 15 mm / Finely carved figure of a bearded, crowned / king between a pair of goddesses venerating / him. The goddesses are wearing flounced / dresses. There are three lines of cuneiform / text bearing the names of the owner, whose / name is identified as the famous king of / Lasa 'Divine is King Rin-Sin (1822 - 1763 BC) / The last line mentions 'The divine Shu-ilishtu' / (a famous king of Isiu, 1984 - 1975 BC) / Timothy Kendall.' 11 grams, 32mm (1 1/4").
Condition
Very fine condition. Excessively rare and important.
Provenance
From an old British private collection; formed between 1975 and 1985.
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