**Originally Listed At $350**

Ancient Near East, Mesopotamia, Mitanni, ca. 1500 to 1350 BCE. A slender, cylindrical rolling seal, hand-carved from a dark-gray stone, with a thin vertical perforation. Carved into the surface of the seal is an enigmatic scene depicting a pair of lamassu, mythical beings with human faces, a bull's body, and large avian wings, flanking either side of a sinuous, branching tree. The creatures appear to be reaching up towards the tree between them, and beneath each is a small pillar and a thin crescent shape. Perhaps symbolic of the important and interwoven relationship between flora and fauna within the natural world, the true meaning of this perplexing seal has been lost to the sands of time. Custom lucite display stand and turquoise putty rollout included. Size: 0.875" H (2.2 cm); 3.125" H (7.9 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection, acquired before 2000

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#131747

Expected age-commensurate surface wear, minor nicks to top and bottom, with some fading to carved designs, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits within recessed details.