Mitanni Faience Cylinder Seal depicting the Watering of the Tree of Life and Procession

Culture: Mitanni

Period: 1500–1350 B.C.

Material: Faience

Dimensions: 2.2 cm high

Price: Reserved

Ref: 6675

Provenance: From the Austrian collection of Danho Abdul Massich, acquired in 1978 and since then in Austria.

Condition: The blue glaze is largely lost, otherwise intact and of wonderful quality.

Description: Finely crafted Mitanni cylinder seal in the so-called "elaborate style", made of faience. The engraving depicts a high priest or king wearing a tiara and a long kaunakes. Facing right, he approaches the Tree of Life and offers it water by means of the so-called “flowing vase,” rendered as three superimposed wave bands. The Tree of Life itself bears large, round fruits, and, as typical of Mitannian seals, is shown in a strongly stylised form. Between the high priest and the tree crouches an ibex, symbolically representing the subjugation of nature under the sacred plant. On the other side stands another dignitary participating in the ritual tending. On the right, the cylinder seal is divided into two registers. The upper register shows a procession of four identically dressed priests moving to the right. The first holds a long staff that ends in a ring at the top, emphasising his high priestly rank. The lower register depicts two grazing ibexes facing each other. Compare with Mittani faience cylinder seals depicting the Tree of Life, such as the one in the Metropolitan Museum with object number 1999.325.188 and the one in the Walter Art Museum with accession number 42.992.