20th-17th century BC. A carved haematite cylinder seal depicting a Lamma goddess with dedication inscription in three columns, accompanied by a museum quality impression and a typed, signed scholarly note by W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham 1970-1993, which states: The design consists of a three-line inscription in Sumerian cuneiform and to the right of it a standing Lamma goddess with horned tiara and long flounced robe, raising both hands, to the left of it a recumbent horned sheep on a low dais with a tall shepherd's crook rising from its back, and in the sky a combined solar disc and lunar crescent. The inscription reads: Amurru, great ....., the god of the decrees. The second line has a word of unknown meaning. This is an Old Babylonian seal, c. 1900-1600 BC. It is nicely engraved and in very good condition. Amurru was the shepherd god of the Babylonians, so the animal and the crook are symbols of his. The Lamma goddess was a servant deity, so shows respect to the god named in the inscription. 8.05 grams, 27mm (1"). Property of a North West London gentleman; formerly with a central London gallery in 1990.

Very fine condition.