9th-7th century BC. A large bituminous limestone cylinder seal with hunting scene, comprising from right to left: the Neo-Assyrian king as an archer in the lion hunt, standing next to the charioteer on the chariot, drawn by three horses, horses jumping across the back of a mortally wounded lioness with head turned backwards towards the chariot. For this motive as a symbol for overcoming the hostile and chaotic forces, cf. R. D. Barnett; W. Forman, Assyrian Palace Reliefs and Their Influence on the sculptures of Babylonia and Persia, London, 1960, especially the relief from Kala? (Nimr?d), Iraq, period of Assurnasirpal II., 883-859 BC; Berlin: W. Orthmann, Der Alte Orient. PKG 14, Berlin, 1975, fig. 205, p. 314; for more cylinder seals with chariot scenes see E. Porada, Corpus of Ancient Near Eastern Seals in North American Collections. Vol. I: The Collection of the Pierpont Morgan Library. The Bollingen Series XIV, Washington, 1948, pl. XCVI. 42.5 grams, 41mm (1 1/2"). Property of a London lady, part of her family's Swiss collection; formerly acquired in the 1980s. Accompanied by a museum-quality impression. [No Reserve]

Fine condition, repaired.