19th-15th century BC. A black limestone cylinder seal with the god Amurru and his crook, another god and a female with animals, accompanied by a museum-quality impression and a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Cylinder Seal of Dark Stone, 19 x 8 mm. The design, which rests on a base-line, consists of three standing figures. On the right is the shepherd god Amurru in beard and long robe, holding up his crook in both hands, beneath which is a small standing goat. In front of him is a god in long robe open at the front where one leg projects. He is holding up a standard with five globes, under which is a fish. The third figure is a nude female depicted frontally save for the head, which is sideways. This is an Old Babylonian seal, c. 2000-1600 B.C., in an unusual style and probably from west Iran. It is in very good condition. 2.27 grams, 19mm (3/4"). Property of a London gentleman; aquired in the late 1970s and 1980s. This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz.

Fine condition.