Old Babylonian Cylinder Seal

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Old Babylonian Cylinder Seal

Mesopotamia, Babylonian, 2225-1875 B.C.
Tools and Equipment; seals
Rock crystal
1 × 1/2 in. (2.54 × 1.27 cm)
The Phil Berg Collection (M.71.73.11a)
Art of the Middle East: Ancient
Not currently on public view

Curator Notes

LACMA's collection of art of the ancient Near East is particularly rich in its holdings of stamp and cylinder seals from Iran and Mesopotamia....
LACMA's collection of art of the ancient Near East is particularly rich in its holdings of stamp and cylinder seals from Iran and Mesopotamia. Seals served as emblems of identity and rank among high officials of the time, and this Old Babylonian (c. 2000-1600 BC) cylinder seal is among the finest examples of this genre of artwork. The primary image (seen on the far left and far right of the seal impression) is that of a seated person of high rank, probably a god, who is receiving a gift-bearer. The enthroned god wears Sumerian dress and a horned crown and is holding a cup. Standing before him is a minor deity leading a bearded personage, probably a king, who has placed his hand on his mouth as a sign of respect. The beautiful carving and carefully organized scene is all the more remarkable given the miniature scale of the seal.
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Bibliography

  • Berg, Phil. Man Came This Way: Objects from the Phil Berg Collection. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1971.
  • Mousavi, Ali. Ancient Near Eastern art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2012.