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A Cappadocian Cylinder Seal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 August 2014

Extract

As a small contribution to the volume of Iraq in honour of Professor Sidney Smith, I offer for publication a curious cylinder seal in the Kültepe style. This contribution, although inadequate, is at least fitting, because Professor Smith is well known for his contributions in this field.

The seal illustrated on Plate III is in a private collection and was bought in Beirut; it is 1.9 cms in length, and is made of haematite; glistening particles show in some places where the stone is engraved. The central scene depicts a bearded figure seated on a stool, clad in a flounced robe of striped multicoloured stuff, with a round cap or turban. The projecting point seems to me fortuitous, and to be caused by a slip of the engraver's tool rather than with the intention of depicting the horned cap of divinity. Approaching this enthroned figure is a worshipper, beardless, wearing a round cap and a fringed garment which hangs open in the Syrian manner. He holds a staff in front of him like a sceptre. At the knee of the enthroned figure sits a monkey, above his hand is a star, crescent and sun disc. Beside this scene there seems to have been originally a four-line inscription. Two lines of the inscription were subsequently partly defaced; this is demonstrated by the very faint sign in the middle of the third line KI. I am unable to make out any other traces of partly obliterated signs. The cuneiform is to be read directly from the stone, as on the majority of Kültepe seals. The photographic print has been reversed in the illustration for ease of reference.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The British Institute for the Study of Iraq 1967

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References

1 As in the Mari fresco, Parrot, Sumer pl. 348.

2 T. N. Özguç, Kültepe Kazisi Kaporu. Türk Tarih Kurumu Yayinlarindan V. Seri No. 12. (1949), p. 234; these are distinguished by such features as Syrian dress and the nude goddess.

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