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An off-white intaglio sintered quartz object in the shape of a cylinder. It is engraved with lines that form the shape of an animal with large antlers. Along the top edge are carved lines that make a swirling, circular pattern. Along the bottom edge are carved lines that make a geometric band.

An off-white intaglio sintered quartz object in the shape of a cylinder. It is standing upright on a grey background. It is engraved with lines that form the shape of an animal with large antlers in the center. The animal’s body points to the viewer’s left and it faces the viewer’s right. Along the top edge are carved lines that make a large swirling, circular pattern. Along the bottom edge are carved lines that make a geometric band of straight lines pointing outward from a long line.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1993.193
Title
Cylinder Seal: Figures Flanking a Tree
Other Titles
Alternate Title: Cylinder Seal: Two Figures flank Tree; Two Recumbent Stags with Spiral Design above and Floral Design below
Classification
Seals
Work Type
seal
Date
c. 1550-1350 BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Africa, Egypt (Ancient)
Period
Mitannian period
Culture
Hurrian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/287264

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3440, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Ancient Middle Eastern Art in the Service of Kings
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Sintered quartz
Technique
Intaglio
Dimensions
2.5 x 1.2 cm (1 x 1/2 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Marcopoli collection, Aleppo, (by 1984). McLendon collection, (by 1993), sold; [through Christie's, New York, June 14, 1993, lot 208], sold; to Harvard University Art Museums, 1993.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Marian H. Phinney Fund
Accession Year
1993
Object Number
1993.193
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
Two figures in fringed robes, hands clasped, flank a tree; recumbent stags with guilloche (cable) and foliate motif.

Exhibition History

  • Impressions of Mesopotamia: Seals from the Ancient Near East, Arthur M. Sackler Museum
  • Re-View: S422 Ancient & Byzantine Art & Numismatics, Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, 04/12/2008 - 06/18/2011
  • 32Q: 3440 Middle East, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu