Cylinder seal and modern impression: Ishtar image and a worshiper below a canopy flanked by winged genies, 8th-7th century B.C.; Neo-Assyrian modeled style
Mesopotamia
Chalcedony; H. 1 1/4 in. (3.1 cm)
Gift of Martin and Sarah Cherkasky, 1989 (1989.361.1)
Description
"Seals of the early first millennium B.C. in Babylonia and Assyria were carved in the linear, drilled, cut, and modeled styles. The modeled style illustrated here derives from earlier Middle Assyrian seal carving and from the modeled sculpture in the palace of Sargon II (r. 721–705 B.C.), king of Assyria at Khorsabad. This style was used predominantly on seals showing scenes of contest and worship.
On this cylinder seal a statue of the goddess Ishtar stands on a platform within a canopied enclosure. Ishtar is identified by crossed quivers, a starred crown, and stars encircling her body. Two winged genies protect the enclosure, while a kneeling figure worships."
- MET