Cylinder Seal with Griffins, Humans and a Winged Disk

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Appearing in the upper register of this seal, three figures flank a stylized sacred tree with a winged disk above. Two winged monsters with eagle heads and scorpion tails flank a falling goat in the lower register. The linear style of carving of this seal is characteristic of the 9th and 8th centuries BCE. 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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Source index: 0
Type: photo
Media ID: d46a62699606c4ab
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Document data

ID: 34721
Core: obj
Type: object

DTO data

{
"id": "34721",
"sourceUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/42.735",
"contentType": "object",
"stage": "normalized",
"title": "Cylinder Seal with Griffins, Humans and a Winged Disk",
"description": "Appearing in the upper register of this seal, three figures flank a stylized sacred tree with a winged disk above. Two winged monsters with eagle heads and scorpion tails flank a falling goat in the lower register. The linear style of carving of this seal is characteristic of the 9th and 8th centuries BCE. 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": "ca. 911-612 BCE (Neo-Assyrian)",
"citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/42.735",
"rightsUri": "CC0",
"language": "en",
"genreSpecific": [
"Precious Stones & Gems",
"cylinder seals"
],
"iiifBase": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PL9_42.735_Fnt_BW.jpg",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PL9_42.735_Fnt_BW.jpg",
"largeImageUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PL9_42.735_Fnt_BW.jpg",
"imageCount": 1,
"pageCount": 1,
"source": "import",
"dimensions": [
{
"units": "cm",
"width": 3.5,
"height": 1.2
}
],
"dimensionsRaw": "H: 1 3/8 x Diam: 1/2 in. (3.5 x 1.2 cm)"
}

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Document identity

{
    "localId": "34721",
    "label": "Cylinder Seal with Griffins, Humans and a Winged Disk",
    "core": "obj",
    "dtoType": "object",
    "citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/42.735"
}

Document source metadata

Document source extras

{
    "cul": "Neo-Assyrian",
    "med": "black stone, iron pin",
    "creator_ids": [
        "7763"
    ],
    "collection_ids": [
        "ANE"
    ],
    "exhibition_ids": []
}

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