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An intaglio object made of alabaster in the shape of a stout cylinder. On the left side are two thick horizontal lines with four vertical lines coming up from them. On the right are long, thin vertical lines that intersect with shorter horizontal lines.

An intaglio object made of alabaster in the shape of a stout cylinder. It stands upright on a dark grey background. On the left side are two thick horizontal engraved lines with four vertical engraved lines coming up from them. On the right are long, thin vertical lines which are close together that intersect with shorter horizontal lines that have more space in between them.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1956.32
Title
Cylinder Seal: "Temple and Herd"
Other Titles
Alternate Title: Cylinder Seal: Six Quadrupeds by a Temple Facade
Classification
Seals
Work Type
seal
Date
3100-2900 BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Mesopotamia
Period
Jemdet Nasr period
Culture
Mesopotamian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/291215

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3440, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Ancient Middle Eastern Art in the Service of Kings
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Alabaster
Technique
Intaglio
Dimensions
H. 3.8 x diam. 3.2 cm (1 1/2 x 1 1/4 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Elie Borowski, Jerusalem, (by 1956), gift; to Fogg Art Museum, 1956.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Dr. Elie Borowski
Accession Year
1956
Object Number
1956.32
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Three pairs of horned (male) and hornless (female) quadrupeds alongside a building façade; the so-called “temple and herd” motif is typical for this period.

Exhibition History

  • Impressions of Mesopotamia: Seals from the Ancient Near East, Arthur M. Sackler Museum
  • 32Q: 3440 Middle East, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Subjects and Contexts

  • Google Art Project

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu