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Cylinder seal

Cylinder seal
 2200 BCE-2100 BCE

Medium
quartz, pyroxene
Measurements
1.3 × 1.1 cm diameter
Place/s of Execution
Near East
Accession Number
3132J-D3
Department
Antiquities
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1929
© Public Domain
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Gallery location
Not on display
Physical description
Cylinder seal, perforated lengthwise with bores 3.0 mm wide. The engraving shows that parts of the bodies of the figures were probably gouged out and then hand tools used for the linear details. The lower end of the seal is broken.The engraving depicts a female deity seated, facing left, on a box-like throne; she is dressed in a robe with a (?)rolled border hem and wears an abbreviated horned (?)headdress with her hair hanging over her shoulders; one arm rests at the waist while the other is outstretched holding a rope attached to the wing of the winged gate placed on the back of the couchant bull; above hovers a (?)bird or star and to the side a faint oblong outline possibly for an (?)inscription.