Ishtar - Mesopotamia - Assyrian cylinder seal impression. Astronomical motif

Ishtar - Assyrian cylinder seal impression
700-800 B.C.E

Dimensions :-
Length - 8.5 cm / 3-1/4 inches
Height - 4.5 cm / 1-3/4 inches

* * * Combined postage available, for several similar sized items which can be included for no extra postage cost ( up to 500 grams / 16 ounces) . If you do consider something else, please ask if your other selection is of a suitable weight. When you have completed your shopping just let us know so we can refund the excess postage.

Made of a limestone and quartzite composition stone it has an aged patina with a light polish.
*******************************************************************************************************

On offer here is an Assyrian cylinder seal impression replica featuring the Goddess Ishtar amidst a complex design of astronomical relevance.
Ishtar was a Goddess of love and war, sex and fertility. An eight pointed star as her symbol can be seen above her head. This was the star of Venus. The early Mesopotamians could see 5 so called stars that were what we know as planets. They called them 'wanderers' because of their movement across the night sky.
Also featured on this impression is a Scorpion man with upraised hands. The scorpion men opened and shut the door that the sun god Shamash used to enter and exit the day. Floating the scorpion man is an image of the winged sun god.
The scorpion men were fearsome beings capable of a death stare. The constellation of Pleiades can be seen above the head of the worshiper standing directly if front of the Goddess who is encircled by a complex array of orbiting celestial bodies.
Cuneiform writing can also be seen to the right of each scorpion man.

*As each item is handmade, slight colour variations may occur.