**Originally Listed At $400**

Ancient Near East, Mesopotamia, Sumer, Third Dynasty of Ur, ca. 2119 to 2004 BCE. A beautiful stamp seal of a cylindrical form that is hand-carved from dark-brown hardstone with a suspension hole drilled lengthwise through the body. Incised on the body is a scene with two figures facing toward a third figure dressed in regal garments, perhaps a king or ruler, along with three columns of inscribed cuneiform script. Known as 'kishib' in Sumerian, cylinder seals like this example were used by individuals in every level of society - from kings and rulers, to merchants and tradespeople, to workers and slaves - to communicate messages. Size: 0.9" L x 0.4" W (2.3 cm x 1 cm); 2.625" H (6.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#137230

Minor chipping to top and bottom surfaces, small chips to seal itself, else intact and very good. Nice preservation to incised figural details and cuneiform script.