Ca. 2300-1600 BC A beautifully carved ancient Akkadian cylinder seal formed in a rich blue lapis, engraved with a deity (possibly the sun god Shamash) seated with hand raised. In front is a sun symbol and altar with a small kneeling male figure and what looks like a dog, the dog is a symbol of Gula, the goddess of healing. Above the figures are two quadrupeds – they look like horses, which would make sense as horses are the animals associated with Shamash. To either side are panels of cuneiform text. Accompanied by a museum-quality impression.Size: L:25.1mm / W:11.8mm ; 6.93gProvenance: Property of a West London gentleman; previously in a collection formed on the UK/International art market in the 1990s.