Ca. ~2500 B.C. // Ancient Sumer

- Sumerian Stone Seal Plaque Depicting a Divine Couple -

This is a Sumerian green schist stone stamp seal with finely carved detail. The seal is perforated at the centre to allow for a wooden peg to be inserted for easy sealing documents or tablets. This unique seal also includes a raised border encapsulating a scene depicting two standing figures. Each are seen clothed in Kaunakes (a tufted wool skirt), which are seated in a low position indicating ranking status. The figures exhibit their hands clasped together over their chests, and their heads are turned left to indicate looking at an entity in exalted worship.

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📚 Cf. Iraq Museum in Baghdad, Iraq. OR British Museum # 130828

📏 Size: 35mm x 28mm; Weight: 13g

📜 Provenance: From a private collection of a London doctor, previously acquired from an established London collection, C.M.; formerly in Sultani family collection, Mayfair, London, early 1990s; acquired between 1960s-1990s. Studied by Prof. Lambert in the 1990s. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter