Ancient Near East, Neo-Babylonian, ca. 1000 to 539 BCE. This is a very interesting steatite (soapstone) cylinder seal depicting a man with traditional hair and beard style familiar from Babylonian art and two figures that are half-man, half-lion. Lions in Babylon recall Anzu, a divine monster in many Mesopotamian religions; they also bring to mind the realistic mosaic lions that decorated the street along the Ishtar Gate. Cylinder seals from Babylon can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum. Size: 1.25" L x .4" W (3.2 cm x 1 cm).

Provenance: Ex-Estate of M. Reiniger, Chicago, IL

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#111564

Artwork is clear and cylinder is intact -- very minor wear.