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Black serpentinite seal (modern impression)

-900/-800

British Museum

British Museum
London, United Kingdom

Many seals of the Neo-Assyrian period reflect the themes of the wall reliefs decorating the royal palaces. This example mirrors hunting scenes from scenes on reliefs at Nimrud, where the king runs over the body of an enemy while firing arrows. The hunter depicted on seals is almost always an archer, either shown kneeling, standing, or shooting from a chariot at his prey which is generally a bull, sometimes a winged bull or sphinx. However, this is probably a battle scene, as his victim is not an animal but a headless man.

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  • Title: Black serpentinite seal (modern impression)
  • Date Created: -900/-800
  • Physical Dimensions: Height: 5.05cm; Diameter: 1.70-1.75cm; Height: 1.93in
  • External Link: British Museum collection online
  • Subject: archer; mammal; sun/moon; arms/armour; charioteer/chariot; planet/constellation
  • Registration number: N.1064
  • Production place: Made in Asia
  • Period/culture: Neo-Assyrian
  • Material: serpentine
  • Copyright: Photo: © Trustees of the British Museum
  • Acquisition: Excavated by Layard, Austen Henry
British Museum

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