Babylonian seal & impression
Neo-Babylonian period 700-600 B.C.E
Dimensions of seal :-
Diameter - 4 cm - 1-1/2 inches
Height - 2.5 cm - 1 inch approximately
Made of a limestone and quartzite composition stone with ochre and slate grey/black patinas.
On offer here is a charming neo-Babylonian duck seal and an impression of the details it contains.
It features the streamlined form of a stylised duck that creates a handle with it's head. Large enough for using thumb and forefinger it would have been used to stamp ownership to a clay document or wine jar seal.
It could also have been designed as a method of weight measurement for very small quantities of a precious material such as gold or exotic herbs.
Duck weights were made in various materials and standard sizes. They were used in trade to work out grain and other food crop portions by placing them on a set of scales. Wages were also calculated using this system.
The inscription underneath depicts a priest worshipping the symbols of the supreme god of Babylon, Marduk.
Also the symbol for Marduk's son Nabu is present here. Nabu was the god of wisdom and writing during this period, taking over this role from the more ancient Nisaba / Nina.
1-3 business days
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Just contact me within: 5 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 14 days of delivery
Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.