A finely engraved Mesopotamian red hardstone cylinder seal featuring a contest scene and perforated longitudinally for suspension. Two male figures, one winged, are carefully engraved with fine detail to their short kilts, spiked headpieces. Having both arms outstretched, the winged figure grasps a horned quadrupeds on his either side by their necks, each with its head turned back. The other figure is also depicted stretching out his both arms, holding a long curved tool with a loop to its end, possibly an agricultural equipment, and a stylised animal in in the other. Two torch-like motifs, composed of incised dots and lines, feature to the top between the two human figures. Minor wear and earthy encrustations to the surface. Seals were often made of stone however there are also examples rendered in bone, ivory, faience, glass, metal, wood, and even sun-dried or baked clay. In the ancient world, seals guaranteed the authenticity of marked ownership – as such, they were instrumental in legal transactions, and in the protection of goods against theft. Seal amulets with stylised animals have been found throughout Mesopotamia in contexts dating to the late fourth millennium BC, although stamp seals and cylinder seals were the predominant types in the ancient Near East. Measurements: L 3cm x W 1.4cm Provenance: From Ex. Cotswold collection 1980. A large part of the collection was sold by a Cirencester Auction in November 2018.