Cylinder Seal with a Presentation Scene and an Inscription

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This depicted scene features a standing goddess in flounced robe with both arms raised in a posture of supplication. Standing facing the goddess is a male figure, possibly Iskur, also called Adad, the storm and rain god of Mesopotamia. He wears a short tunic and a pointed helmet and holds a mace in his hand. A three pronged fork is between the figures, probably representing a thunderbolt. The scene also includes two registers of cuneiform text. 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.

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Page: 7
Source index: 0
Type: photo
Media ID: 7c0968a6e55e8d4a
Size: unknown

Document data

ID: 35671
Core: obj
Type: object

DTO data

{
"id": "35671",
"sourceUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/42.701",
"contentType": "object",
"stage": "normalized",
"title": "Cylinder Seal with a Presentation Scene and an Inscription",
"description": "This depicted scene features a standing goddess in flounced robe with both arms raised in a posture of supplication. Standing facing the goddess is a male figure, possibly Iskur, also called Adad, the storm and rain god of Mesopotamia. He wears a short tunic and a pointed helmet and holds a mace in his hand. A three pronged fork is between the figures, probably representing a thunderbolt. The scene also includes two registers of cuneiform text. 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/42.701",
"rightsUri": "CC0",
"language": "en",
"genreSpecific": [
"Precious Stones & Gems",
"cylinder seals"
],
"iiifBase": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_42.701_SideC_DD_T06.jpg",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_42.701_SideC_DD_T06.jpg",
"largeImageUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_42.701_SideC_DD_T06.jpg",
"imageCount": 7,
"pageCount": 7,
"source": "import",
"dimensions": [
{
"units": "cm",
"width": 2.5,
"height": 1.3
}
],
"dimensionsRaw": "H: 1 x Diam: 1/2 in. (2.5 x 1.3 cm)"
}

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Document identity

{
    "localId": "35671",
    "label": "Cylinder Seal with a Presentation Scene and an Inscription",
    "core": "obj",
    "dtoType": "object",
    "citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/42.701"
}

Document source metadata

Document source extras

{
    "cul": "Babylonian",
    "inscriptions": [
        "[Transliteration",
        "Akkadian] 1. {d#}iszkur# 2. {d}sza-la [https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/archival_view.php?ObjectID=P272877]"
    ],
    "med": "quartz (?)",
    "creator_ids": [
        "7023"
    ],
    "collection_ids": [
        "ANE"
    ],
    "exhibition_ids": []
}

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