3rd-later 2nd millennium BC. A black limestone cylinder seal with deep-cut glyphs; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Black Stone, 24 x 14.5 mm. The design is set between upper and lower rulings and consists of four distinguished shapes engraved very deeply in the stone. While they bear some similarity to Egyptian hieroglyphs, they are not sufficiently similar to be read. The object is certainly ancient and comes from the area of Syria/Palestine, where it was engraved under the influence of Egyptian inscriptions. It is probably from the Third Millennium B.C. or the later Second Millennium. Though worn, the design was so deeply cut that it remains. 6.37 grams, 24mm (1"). Property of a London gentleman; part of his family collection since the 1970s. 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.