Ancient Near East, Neo-Assyrian or possibly Achaemenid period, ca. 800 to 500 BCE. A finely carved steatite cylinder seal, pierced vertically for suspension, and skillfully incised with two figures making offerings of food and drink (one holding a vessel) to an altar placed between them and eight-pointed stars in the sky above. Accompanied by rollout that shows the repeating iconography. Size: 1.125" L x 0.4" W (2.9 cm x 1 cm)
Cylinder seals played a major role in the daily life of the Ancient Near East. Known as kishib in Sumerian and kunukku in Akkadian, royals, government officials, scribes, and slaves used them to transact business and send correspondence. They were worn around the neck or wrist and served as a signature and a guarantee, rolled into the moist clay of accounting and governance documents. They also link our modern world to the past, as thousands of years ago, people were just as concerned with security and authenticity for the documents that they used to conduct business. Cylinder seals were a technological solution to a pressing problem, and their scenes are often complex to prevent forgery and identify individuals.
Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities; ex Edgar L. Owen, Auction # 31, February 6, 1997, lot #157
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#155764
Condition
Minor abrasions to lateral peripheries and some carved details, otherwise intact and very good. Smooth surface textures throughout, and nice remains of carved details.