A finely carved Assyrian chalcedony cylinder seal featuring a cultic scene and perforated for suspension. To the left, a mythical creature, possibly Lamassu the protective deity, is depicted seated facing to the right, with one paw raised. Its features, including a lion's body, tail, and paws, outstretched wings, and a human head have been carefully engraved. In front of Lamassu is a male human figure, depicted robed and standing. His drapery and head are detailed with fine incisions. He appears to hold a small offering cup in his hand. Both figures have one arm raised and outstretched, holding a circular object, possibly an offering or a chaplet, together. There is a cuneiform inscription between the figures' backs. Minor wear and earthy encrustations to the surface. This piece has been repaired, with a horizontal crack across the middle where the pieces were glued together. Please note, impression is for reference only. 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 2.4cm x W 1.1cm Provenance: From Ex. Cotswold collection 1980. A large part of the collection was sold by a Cirencester Auction in November 2018.