Sumerian Marble Seal representing a Dog
Sumerian Marble Seal representing a Dog
This animal, which can certainly be identified as a canid is seated with its legs folded under its body, its head raised and directed towards the viewer.
3rd millenium B.C.
L: 3.7 cm
In stock
Product Description
This animal, which can certainly be identified as a canid (a dog or perhaps a fox, because of the shape of the tail) is seated with its legs folded under its body, its head raised and directed towards the viewer.
The perforation between the legs and the incisions made with a bouterolle indicate that this object served as a personal seal: it would have been worn suspended from the wrist, the neck or the belt, so that it was always available when needed. This type of circular incisions is often seen on seals in this period: accompanied by linear lines, the various circles are arranged so as to draw the body of three highly stylized animals.
Bulls and felines were certainly the most widely represented animals on Mesopotamian seals. Among other figures represented on seals or simple amulets, there are many various species: bears, monkeys, vultures, frogs, hedgehogs, fishes, etc. Beyond the traditional convenience for the animal kingdom, the symbolism of this representations is not always easy to discern.
