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Cylinder seal
Near Eastern, Mesopotamian, Babylonian
Old Babylonian
1894–1595 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Hematite
Dimensions
Legacy dimension: .27 x .12 mm.
Credit Line
Archibald Cary Coolidge Fund
Accession Number34.1451
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAncient Egypt, Nubia and the Near East
ClassificationsSeals
DescriptionPresentation scene: Underworld god Nergal holding lion-staff and sickle-sword with one foot on "lion demon," and face and torso shown frontally. Toward him approaches a royal figure holding mace and wearing skull-cap with turban. Behind the royal figure is a tutelary divinity wearing a long fleeced garment with both hands raised. Cuneiform inscription in two vertical bands: "dingir martu / dumu anna," (for the god) Martu, son of Heaven."
ProvenanceBy 1934: R. S. Cooke Collection, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex, England; 1934: purchased by the MFA from Mr. Cooke.*
(Accession date: December 6, 1934)
*Seventeen seals, numbered 34.1440-34.1456 were purchased as a group for $6000.
(Accession date: December 6, 1934)
*Seventeen seals, numbered 34.1440-34.1456 were purchased as a group for $6000.