4th-3rd millennium BC. A carved calcite cylinder seal with zoomorphic loop; 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 Translucent Stone with Orange Vein 25 x 15 mm. The seal is surmounted by a sculpted small rodent, the hole between its legs serving for a string to carry the object. The design consists of two halves marked by vertical lines with each half containing two eye shapes. This is a Jemdet Nasr seal, c. 3000 B.C., from Mesopotamia. The small animal on top makes it an unusual item. It is in very good state of preservation. 8.09 grams, 24mm (1"). Private collection, London, UK; formed 1970s-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.