17th-16th century BC. A black limestne cylinder seal with two Lamma goddesses and objects between, 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 Black Stone, 30 x 13 mm. The original engraving supplied the two standing female figures: two facing Lamma goddesses in horned tiaras, long flounced robes, and raising both hands. The original purpose was to have an inscription carved in the space between them, but for some reason this inscription was never added, so later other things were engraved: two dancing men with splayed legs presented tête-bêche, and an elaborate double-lion-headed mace, with a small bird one side of it, and a human head(?) the other side. Between the backs of the Lammas is a lunar crescent on a pole and a rod with animal head(?) on the top. This is an Old Babylonian seal, c. 1700-1600 B.C., from Mesopotamia. 8.01 grams, 30mm (1 1/4"). From an important North London collection formed before 1980. 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.