Description

Rectangular stamp seal in black stone with rounded corners excavated in Mesopotamia and dating back to the end of the Ubaid period between 4500 and 5500 B.C.

This piece seems to have a low Mohs scale (3 – 4) since we can see lots of little scratches on the the outer face. This has been mainly done in order to make this half moon shape, that is really typical of the proto historical and Ur periods. Since this kind of material is a heat conductor and its low hardness, this seal could presumably be made of steatite. A transversal hole for suspension join each half moon side. The inner face depicts a mystical animal close to the representation in the British Museum, however more schematic and then preceding the end of the chalcolithic period. Indeed, the stance is quite identical and its ribs are well rendered. However, it is very likely that our specimen posess some horns (its head seems to be down).

The seal is encrusted with earth or clay and a corner is bit trimmed.

Reference

Same shape

Same style (Ubaïd period)