between 2700 B.C. and 2500 B.C.
white-and-grey marble ;
Morgan Seal 56
Description
1 cylinder seal : white-and-grey marble ; 23.5 x 12 mm
Provenance
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes
"Frequently, as in 53, 55-57, the human heroes are joined in their fight by a bull-man, who makes his first appearance in this age. It was thought by earlier Assyriologists that this bull-man could be identified with Enkidu, the friend of the epic hero Gilgamesh, while Gilgamesh himself was identified with the nude bearded hero with curls." Porada, CANES, p. 10
Summary
Center: reversed bull-man between two lions, whose legs he clutches, while lions are each assailed by skirted hero -- Terminal: two entwined serpents.
Catalog link
Classification
Place
Southern Mesopotamia.
Department