4th-3rd millennium BC. A carved limestone cylinder seal with frieze of a running beast and various symbols; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Cylinder Seal of Brown Stone, 42 x 12 mm. The dsign [sic] shows a prancing horned quadruped with long curving horns. Above it are three vessels, round with necks and spouts. As a terminal there is a tree growing on a small hill. The seal is in very good condition. This is a Jemdet Nasr seal, c.3000 BC, from southern Iraq or a neighbouring area. 11 grams, 42mm (1 3/4"). Property of a London gentleman; aquired in the late 1970s and 1980s. This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz.

Fine condition.