Modeled in the shape of a stylized leonine protome (the head is complete, but the body is a simple half-circle representing the mane of the animal), it was carved from a cream-colored limestone veined with red; it is pierced vertically by a hole and was therefore intended to be worn as a pendant (necklace or bracelet).
The flat lower part of the object actually bears the seal of the owner and of his goods: it is adorned with drawings made with a bouterolle (a sort of drill).
This small jar, with a decorative ridge in relief that extends the neck and modifies its proportions, is more elaborate in shape than most other contemporary stone vessels. The perfectly globular body stands on its own despite the absence of base. The lip is flat.
Such jars are largely documented all throughout the Near Eastern world. Our example is in the shape of a drop; the regular, rounded profile of the body is only interrupted in the upper part by a sharp, thick ridge on the neck. The circular mouth is delineated by a flat, angular lip.
In the Near Eastern world, stone vases were considered luxury goods and belonged to high-ranking individuals or to the treasures of sanctuaries: they were used to store valuable materials (ointments, liquids for female toiletry for instance; but also wheat, oils, etc., given the size of the vessel), as ritual vessels for religious cults, as grave goods.
A conical bowl, with a perfectly flat circular bottom that provides a good balance to the vessel. Flat and angular lip. The mottled stone, covered with small darker inclusions, gives the surface a unique and original decoration. The vessel has an accurate, perfectly regular shape; it would have been shaped using a potter’s wheel, and hollowed out by drilling.
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.he 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.