西亚 赤铁矿 带有崇拜场景的圆柱印章

一枚精美的西部亚洲赤铁矿柱形印章，描绘敬拜场景。画面由三位立姿人物组成，可能是朝拜者，以及一名端坐人物，可能是月神、神祇或王族人物。端坐的人穿着长袍和头饰，伸出的手中托着杯子，前方的上方画域有新月，下方域有星星。神像背后有一棵高大的树。一名立着的敬拜者捧着供物，对着坐着的神祇致意。另有两名角色站在敬拜者背后，彼此面对，合持一支长矛。长矛指向地面，抵着一个球体。印章纵向打孔，以便悬挂。有与年代相符的磨损痕迹，如轻微的缺口和点蚀。该件附有博物馆级印痕。

Seals in antiquity were often made of stone, however there are also examples rendered in bone, ivory, faience, glass, metal, wood, and occasionally 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 or fantasised zoomorphic figural have been found throughout Mesopotamia and dating to the late fourth millennium BC. Winged genii are one such zoomorphic figure. They were often depicted alongside quadrupeds or ‘Tree of Life’ motifs, and functioned as protective spirits.

Measurements: (circa) L 1.7cm x W 0.8cm

Provenance: Ex 'S' collection, acquired 1970-1990s.