Green stone, apprx 28 x 18mm. In the center of the scene stands the sun-god Shamash, in a horned tiara and long flounced robe falling in creases, open at the front, where one leg projects with foot resting on a tiered mountain. In one hand he holds up his saw weapon, in the other he holds down a mace. On each side of him stands an attendant god holding open a gate, the gate always on the right of the god. The sun-god is shown rising from the gates of the east in the morning. Two attendants hold back the gates as he climbs up from the netherworld, which he has crossed from the west to the east in the night. The saw-weapon was meant for executing criminals since he was the god of justice. From Mesopotamia, south-west Iran. This seal comes with a museum quality modern impression and is accompanied by a signed typed description by Professor W. G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, UK, 1970 - 1993. From the collection of Juliane and Philip Lynch, Shaker Heights, Ohio.
Condition: Save for one chip off the edge, it is very well preserved. The impression is cracked. As is.