| Object Number | B5042 |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Provenience | Iraq |
| Period | Neo-Babylonian |
| Section | Near Eastern |
| Materials | Chalcedony |
| Description | CBS Register: Babylonian seal cylinder, pink chalcedony, Neo-Bab PBS XIV: The tree of life under the winged sun of Ashur is worshiped by two winged geniuses. The tree, a knotted stem on a larger base, supports a halo of fourteen branches ending in fruits like an elongated acorn. Shoots are growing from the base of the stock. The flying sun disk has the wings, tail and talons of the eagle. The disk has only a crown-like ornament with two horns and a curved line perhaps derived from the horned mitre, or from the Egyptian flying beetle, another emblem of the sun. The Assyrian art has a noted preference for horned and winged animals and geniuses. The two winged geniuses stpe toward the tree, one hand up in sign of adoration, the other holding a branch with three fruits. They have a fillet about their heads and the usual beard, heavy hair and robe with zones of fringes, opening in front to let pass the bare leg under the short tunic. The tasseled end of their belt hangs down to their feet. There are a crescent and rhomb on the reverse. Convex cyl. seal. Carnelian, 26 x 12 ½ mm |
| Credit Line | Babylonian Expedition Purchase, 1890 |
| Other Number | PBS XIV: 591 - Other Number | Ward Seal Cyl. No. 696 - Other Number | P261234 - CDLI Number |
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