Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Contest frieze with hero in center clasping two antelopes, with attacking lion at either side

between 2340 B.C. and 2150 B.C.
shell ;
Morgan Seal 135
Description
1 cylinder seal : shell ; 25 x 14 mm
Provenance
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes
"The seals reflecting the transition from Early Dynastic to Akkad style still utilize the Early Dynastic group showing a hero in the center protecting ruminants against attacking lions. The characterizing feature of these cylinders appears in the postures of the animals, which have been aptly described by Moortgat as producing violent zigzag lines." Porada, CANES, p. 20
Summary
Group with hero in center clasping two antelopes; attacking lion at either side -- Terminal: Tails of lions joined to form canopy over four horizontals and star spade.
Classification
Place
Southern Mesopotamia.
Department