NEO ASSYRIAN BLACK STONE CYLINDER SEAL

Ca. 9th-8th century BC
A black stone cylinder seal portrays a gripping scene of a hero engaged in combat with a wild animal, showcasing the strength and valor of the protagonist. The depiction of the hero engaged in battle reflects the warrior culture and martial prowess of the Neo-Assyrians. This scene symbolizes the struggle between human strength and the untamed forces of the natural world, highlighting themes of courage, dominance, and triumph over adversity. In the exergue of the seal, an eight-pointed star is depicted, representing the goddess Ishtar. Ishtar, associated with love, beauty, and war, was a prominent deity in the Assyrian pantheon. The inclusion of the eight-pointed star signifies the presence and favor of Ishtar, further reinforcing the hero's divine protection and strength. This cylinder seal would have served as a personal or official stamp, allowing individuals to authenticate documents, assert their authority, or invoke the divine blessings associated with the hero and the goddess Ishtar. Studied by PD Dr. habil. Pieter Gert van der Veen, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz.
Size: L:29.8mm / W:12.8mm ; 8.21g
Provenance: Private London collection of an Ancient Art dealer; formerly in a central London family collections 1990s; Suggested to be examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Estimate: GBP 400 - 600