A Published Agate Cylinder Seal with Royal Ritual Scene, Neo-Assyrian Period, ca. 883 - 612 BCE
MM2102
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Finely carved from translucent red-brown agate, this exceptional cylinder seal presents a richly detailed mythological composition emblematic of Neo-Assyrian royal ideology. At the center of the scene strides a bearded king, rendered in the formal court style of the Assyrian empire. His raised arm conveys authority and divine sanction, while a running bull at his feet serves as a potent symbol of royal power, virility, and celestial favor.
Facing the ruler is a winged eagle-headed apkallu, one of the supernatural protective beings that occupied a central role in Assyrian religion. The figure extends a small vessel, almost certainly associated with ritual purification or libation, underscoring the sacred relationship between the king and the divine realm. Behind the king rests a long-necked animal, possibly a gazelle or ibex, beneath a stylized Tree of Life. A bird perched among its branches completes the composition, reinforcing themes of fertility, regeneration, and cosmic order.
The Tree of Life was among the most enduring symbols in Mesopotamian art, representing the divine structure of the universe and the king's role in maintaining harmony between heaven and earth. The carefully drilled dot borders framing the scene above and below enhance the elegance of the composition while reflecting the precision expected of master seal engravers.
Of particular significance is the survival of the original bronze mounting pin, still embedded within the central perforation. Such original fittings are rarely preserved, providing valuable evidence for the seal's ancient method of suspension and use.
Cylinder seals functioned as both personal identifiers and administrative tools throughout Mesopotamia. Rolled across wet clay, they authenticated documents, secured containers, and served as prestigious markers of status and authority. The complexity of the iconography and the quality of the engraving suggest that this seal belonged to an individual of considerable rank within the Neo-Assyrian state.
Published: Sotheby's New York, June 23, 1989 lot #9
Medium: Red-Brown Agate
Dimensions: Length: 3.1 cm (1.22 inches)
Condition: Complete. Ancient cracking to the body has been professionally stabilized. Original bronze suspension pin remains embedded within the central perforation. Overall in very good condition. An exceptionally rare and well-preserved example.
Provenance: Iraj Lak Collection, London, ca. 1974–1984. Published: Sotheby’s New York, June 23, 1989, lot 9 (accompanied by extract from auction catalog).
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