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8.29.CS (N)

A rare and rather splendid seal!

 

But is it Syrian as the Professor suggests?

 

 

 










From Phil J

 

I would suggest that this style of Anatolian work is provincial to both the Hittites and the Old Babylonian/Kassite periods (Classical to Neo-Hittite Empires to be more precise...)(c. 1800 - 1200 B.C. is where I would estimate them...)

 

A couple of salient features stand out to me particularly regarding this piece: the knot work below to the right under the throne is very Anatolian. As well the eagle is very much a symbol of the Hattu people (the Hittites of Hattusha...) Carving style is really spot on as well in the faces and shapes of the figures.

 

Classically, these were called Cappadocian, however more recent scholarship has shown that these are very much Anatolian and Hittite. Most of the world's examples of these are housed in Ankara, in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.

 

These type seals are limited to Central Anatolia. Material from Charcamesh and Kadesh are much more Syrian in style and in cut and especially do not have the knot work that your example possesses.

 

It's quite rare and desirable to anyone who's interested in Hittitology and Anatolian Studies.

 

 

The scans are from these are from by Sedat Alp

These examples are  from Karahoyuk, near Konya in Turkey




7.42.21

A very attractive imprint is made by this rare seal which comes from Mesoptotamia but outside of Babylonia.

As you will read on the note from Professor Lambert it is possble that this is a rather earlier seal whch has been re-cut four and a half thousand years ago.

21mm x19 mm

Circa 2300 BC

 











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