A MESOPOTAMIAN BANDED CHALCEDONY CYLINDER SEAL, CIRCA 900-700 B.C.

拍品描述

A MESOPOTAMIAN BANDED CHALCEDONY CYLINDER SEAL, CIRCA 900-700 B.C. Carved from translucent grey and white banded chalcedony, this tall cylindrical seal is engraved with a finely detailed scene of two antelopes or gazelles in motion beneath a pair of descending birds. The composition includes stylised reeds and linear groundlines, creating a sense of spatial rhythm characteristic of late Assyrian and early Neo-Babylonian glyptic art. The carving is crisp and deeply cut, taking advantage of the stone’s variegated bands to enhance the visual contrast. The surface retains a natural polish with small inclusions and light mineral encrustation. The perforation through the centre is cleanly drilled for suspension. The accompanying modern impression reveals the lively composition and balanced proportions of the original engraving. Cylinder seals of this type were used to roll impressed designs over wet clay tablets or jar stoppers, serving as personal identifiers and administrative marks. The naturalistic treatment of animals and controlled symmetry reflect the artistic refinement of Mesopotamian workshops during the first millennium B.C. Height: 3.9cm

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