between 2340 B.C. and 2150 B.C.
black serpentine ;
Morgan Seal 179
Description
1 cylinder seal : black serpentine ; 24 x 19.5 mm
Provenance
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes
"Among the mythological figures on Akkad seals, the most frequent is the sun god, Shamash. One of the distinctive settings in which this god appears is found in 178-186. The god, identified by his saw and usually by rays emanating from his shoulders, is shown in ascending posture either between two mountains, placing his foot on one and resting his hand on the other, or beside a single mountain on which he steps while resting his hand on a mace. Before him attendants throw open the gates of heaven. The fullest elaboration of this motif is found in 178, 179, 181-183... The motif of a sun god with his attendants is sometimes enlarged by the addition of other deities. Examples are... 179, which shows a god approaching in a boat..." Porada, CANES, p. 24
Summary
God shouldering weapon and standing in boat -- Sun god with rays, holding mace(?), ascending between two mountains, on which rest wings of gate opened by two attendants.
Catalog link
Classification
Place
Southern Mesopotamia.
Department