Cylinder Seal

CBS Register: large Babylonian seal cylinder, limestone (marble)

PBS XIV: The worshiping of a seated goddess with hand extended holding a staff or scepter. She has a horned mitre, her hair hanging on her shoulders, a flounced robe covering one shoulder, leaving the other and one breast bare, and a high seat resting on a low dais. Behind her stands a picturesque pine tree with birds on the upper branches. The divine attendant kneels down in a rare attitude with arms stretched right and left, one hand nearly touching the scepter of the goddess, the other raising up a flower – or an ear of durra (?). She has a horned mitre, her long hair hanging on her shoulders, a fringed robe leaving both arms bare. The star with eleven rays seems to have been cut later on. A bearded worshiper brings a kid as an offering. He has a plaited shawl, and his short hair bound a fillet. He is followed by a smaller – female (?) – figure carrying a pail. She has a fringed shawl, her long hair is tied in a loop behind. The beard seems doubtful. There is a crescent above, and a dot for the sun.

There is also a late indistinct inscription below the tree. Concave cyl. seal. White and red marble, 49 x 31 ½ mm.