between 1600 B.C. and 1350 B.C.
hematite ;
Morgan Seal 978
Description
1 cylinder seal : hematite ; 16 x 10 mm
Provenance
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan sometime between 1885 and 1908.
Notes
"In 978 a god or king with a spar stands before two deities who appear under a double arch. Frankfort suggests that such a "double shelter" may derive from the motif of jets of water flowing from a vase like that held by two figures in a contemporary Syrian seal (Louvre A. 913), or "from the Egyptian figure holding two 'year sticks' and signifying eternity" appearing on pectorals of the Middle Kingdom that were sent to Syria as gifts to local princes, or from the decorations of a Cappadocian statue base."--Porada, CANES, p. 132
Summary
Two goddesses(?) (full face), each under wing of double arch -- Male figure holding spear, before him curved mace above vase -- Terminal: leaping hare, guilloche, standing lion, one above other.
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Classification
Department