W6

Mesopotamian Early Dynastic cylinder seal

An unusual solid cast copper or bronze amuletic cylinder seal with a waisted body and integral attachment loop in the form of a typical contemporaneous wire mount on a stone cylinder seal. The body is decorated with geometric linear designs which are identical to ones found on Early Dynastic stone seals.

Functional cylinder seals were manufactured in metal but we have not found a parallel with the same pseudo-wire attachment loop. Whether this example would have served as a seal or a type of votive offering is not clear, the detail in the seal design is sufficient to give it a functional purpose.

Mesopotamia, Early Dynastic Period, mid 3rd Millennium BC

Intact as shown

Size: 4.9 x 1.7 cms

Ex. private collection, Wiltshire, UK.