1900-1700 BC. A carved limestone cylinder seal with frieze of two deities and cuneiform inscription; accompanied by a museum-quality impression and 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 Black Stone, 26 x 12.5 mm. The design consist of two facing figures, one the right a standing Lamma-goddess, with horned tiara, long flounced robe and raising both hands. On the left is the god with mace, wearing a hat with brim, a short kilt to the knees, and holding a mace in one hand at the waist. Between them is a recumbent goat, from whose back rises a shepherd's crook. There is a two-line cuneiform inscription: dmar-dú Amurru / dumu an-na son of Anum. Amurru was the Babylonian shepherd god, to whom the crook is a symbol. This is an Old Babylonian seal, c.1900-1700 B.C., from Mesopotamia or south-west Iran. 8.32 grams, 26mm (1"). Property of a North London collector; acquired in the 1970s. 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, small chip to edge.