Rare Mitanni Cylinder Seal of Red Banded Agate

Culture: Mitanni

Period: Mid 2nd millennium B.C.

Material: Agate

Dimensions: 1.5 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 6683

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

Condition: Intact

Description: Rare, small cylinder seal of red banded agate from the north Syrian kingdom of Mitanni. The depiction shows a bird diving into the water and fishing. Its wings with fine feathers protruding are open wide, the legs with its claws stretched out. Recognizable are a horizontally in the water swimming fish and a larger, vertically facing one, which becomes the bird's hunting victim. A small impressive testimony of Mitanni’s glyptic.