**First Time At Auction**

Ancient Near East / Central Asia, Mesopotamia, Sumer, Jemdet Nasr Period, ca. 3100 to 2900 BCE. A stone cylinder seal deeply etched with seemingly abstract, linear markings that are unidentifiable until they are rolled out. The impression is a large bird with wings outstretched, flanked by 2 smaller ungulate animals, such as deer, antelope, or ibex, and a modern putty impression of this fantastic motif is included. The size of the bird towering over the other animals could be a stylistic depiction of a goose, however it could suggest an ostrich! Seals were important markers for individuals when using clay tablets, and the stone itself may hold amuletic power and were often worn by the owner. Size: 0.65" L x 0.3" W (1.7 cm x 0.8 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Brooklyn, New York, USA collection, acquired from Dave Libert, Time Machine, Flushing, New York, USA in the early 2000s

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#175475

Surface chips and nicks, and mineral encrustations in recessed areas, otherwise intact. Modern putty impression of seal included.