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Cylinder seal
Near Eastern, Mesopotamian, Sumerian
Ur III
2112–2004 B.C.
Object Place: Sumerian/ Babylonian
Medium/Technique
Black steatite
Dimensions
Legacy dimension: H. 3.1 cm Diameter 1.8 cm [/] 0.031.1
Credit Line
Edward Jackson Holmes Collection—Bequest of Mrs. Edward Jackson Holmes
Accession Number65.389
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAncient Egypt, Nubia and the Near East
ClassificationsSeals
DescriptionPresentation scene. Enthroned divinity with horned headdress surmounted by crescent, probably the Moon god Nanna/Sin, holding handled cup in one hand, is approached by a female tutelary divinity with long garment and horned headdress holding by hand a worshipper (owner of seal?). Solar disk inscribed in crescent between the two deities in the upper field, and a long vessel in the lower. Three columns of inscription in Sumerian: "Urnanshe, son of Merkagina, chief of the 'tailors'." The seal probably originates in Lagash where both the names Urnanshe and Merkagina are attested.
ProvenanceBy 1930: Edward Jackson Holmes Collection; 1930: given to the MFA by Mrs. Edward Jackson Holmes, 10 March 1965.