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.

Figure with oval headgear holding spear and facing goddess with square mitre who carries vase

between 1500 B.C. and 1400 B.C.
hematite ;
Morgan Seal 973
Description
1 cylinder seal : hematite ; 23 x 11 mm
Provenance
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes
"In 973, the figure with oval headgear resembles a figure in an impression on a tablet found at Atshanah (ancient Alalakh); the seal with which this impression was made was used b a king contemporary with Saushatar. However, the seal was apparently made somewhat earlier than the time of this reign, for it is inscribed with the name of a previous king. On the basis of this resemblance, the date of 973 probably still falls within the fifteenth century; such a dating is in any case suggested by the elaborate garments of the figures. The fact that the figure with oval headgear seen in 973 is found also on a royal seal may indicate that it represents a king."--Porada, CANES, p. 131
Summary
Figure with oval headgear holding spear and facing goddess with square miter who carries vase -- Female worshiper -- Secondary motif: three marching men, guilloche above and below.
Classification
Department