20th-19th century BC. A haematite cylinder seal fragment with figures and cuneiform text; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Top of Cylinder Seal of Hematite, 14 x 12 mm. The design consists of four standing figures: on the right is the goddess Ishtar, arrow-heads rising from one shoulder, and holding a double-lion-headed club. Facing her is the god with mace, the tip of the mace just visible under his bib. He is wearing a deep-brimmed hat. Behind the god with the mace is a Lamma-goddess in horned tiara and holding up both hands. On the far left is a god, also in horned tiara, holding an object in one hand. There is one filling motif: a monkey by the Lamma's hands. Though this is only the top portion, it was a very interesting seal, and well cut. It is Old Babylonian, c. 1900-1800 B.C., from Mesopotamia. 5.79 grams, 14mm (1/2"). Property of a London gentleman; part of his family collection since the 1970s; supplied with a museum-quality impression and scholarly note by Professor W. G. Lambert. 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.

Fair condition.