Cylinder Seal with Three Standing Figures and an Inscription

Ask the Scholar

Page 8 of 10

I can add historical knowledge about this page.

Page image

Document source description

The scene depicts a standing, long-robed figure with one arm raised, behind a second standing figure in a short robe. The figure in the short robe faces a third figure, wearing a long robe. The field between the two facing figures includes a line of cuneiform script; additionally, there are three registers of cuneiform inscription. In the Old Babylonian period traditional presentation scenes slowly give way to scenes with standing figures and inscriptions. Cylinder seals are cylindrical objects carved in reverse (intaglio) in order to leave raised impressions when rolled into clay. Seals were generally used to mark ownership, and they could act as official identifiers, like a signature, for individuals and institutions. A seal’s owner rolled impressions in wet clay to secure property such as baskets, letters, jars, and even rooms and buildings. This clay sealing prevented tampering because it had to be broken in order to access a safeguarded item. Cylinder seals were often made of durable material, usually stone, and most were drilled lengthwise so they could be strung and worn. A seal’s material and the images inscribed on the seal itself could be protective. The artistry and design might be appreciated and considered decorative as well. Cylinder seals were produced in the Near East beginning in the fourth millennium BCE and date to every period through the end of the first millennium BCE.

Page data

Page: 8
Source index: 0
Type: photo
Media ID: 9c7bb50eb22448b6
Size: unknown

Document data

ID: 27863
Core: obj
Type: object

DTO data

{
"id": "27863",
"sourceUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/42.626",
"contentType": "object",
"stage": "normalized",
"title": "Cylinder Seal with Three Standing Figures and an Inscription",
"description": "The scene depicts a standing, long-robed figure with one arm raised, behind a second standing figure in a short robe. The figure in the short robe faces a third figure, wearing a long robe. The field between the two facing figures includes a line of cuneiform script; additionally, there are three registers of cuneiform inscription. In the Old Babylonian period traditional presentation scenes slowly give way to scenes with standing figures and inscriptions. Cylinder seals are cylindrical objects carved in reverse (intaglio) in order to leave raised impressions when rolled into clay. Seals were generally used to mark ownership, and they could act as official identifiers, like a signature, for individuals and institutions. A seal’s owner rolled impressions in wet clay to secure property such as baskets, letters, jars, and even rooms and buildings. This clay sealing prevented tampering because it had to be broken in order to access a safeguarded item. Cylinder seals were often made of durable material, usually stone, and most were drilled lengthwise so they could be strung and worn. A seal’s material and the images inscribed on the seal itself could be protective. The artistry and design might be appreciated and considered decorative as well. Cylinder seals were produced in the Near East beginning in the fourth millennium BCE and date to every period through the end of the first millennium BCE.",
"provenance": "Henry Walters, Baltimore, [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Sadie Jones (Mrs. Henry Walters), New York, 1931, by inheritance; Joseph Brummer, Paris and New York, 1941, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1941, by purchase.",
"date": "20th-17th century BCE (Old Babylonian/Isin Larsa)",
"citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/42.626",
"rightsUri": "CC0",
"language": "en",
"genreSpecific": [
"Precious Stones & Gems",
"cylinder seals"
],
"iiifBase": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/CUR_42.626_VwA_UK.jpg",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/CUR_42.626_VwA_UK.jpg",
"largeImageUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/CUR_42.626_VwA_UK.jpg",
"imageCount": 10,
"pageCount": 10,
"source": "import",
"dimensionsRaw": "Diam: 1/2 in. (1.3 cm)"
}

Context sent to Scholar

Document identity

{
    "localId": "27863",
    "label": "Cylinder Seal with Three Standing Figures and an Inscription",
    "core": "obj",
    "dtoType": "object",
    "citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/42.626"
}

Document source metadata

Document source extras

{
    "cul": "Babylonian",
    "inscriptions": [
        "[Transliteration",
        "Akkadian] 1. ib-ni {d}marduk 2. dumu# i3-li2-um-ma-t?i# 3. ARAD2# {d}sza-ha-an 4. u3 {d}na-bi-um [https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/archival_view.php?ObjectID=P272862]"
    ],
    "med": "quartz (?)",
    "creator_ids": [
        "7023"
    ],
    "collection_ids": [
        "ANE"
    ],
    "exhibition_ids": []
}

Page context