Sumerian Cylinder Seal

An ancient Sumerian white marble cylinder seal with a scene of three kneeling women gathering fruit from three trees.

Jemdet Nasr Period, 3500-2900 BC.

Height: 3/4 in. (18 mm).

The site of Jemdet Nasr in northern central Mesopotamia was an important administrative and cultural center at the turn of the 3rd Millenium BC. The Jemdet Nasr Period is associated with the Urban Revolution, the building of cities, the advent of copper and bronze metallurgy, and the transition between prehistory and history.

Formerly in the collection of Prof. Hans Erlenmeyer (1900-1967), Basel, Switzerland; Sotheby's, New York, December 17, 1998, lot 456; subsequently, New York private collection.

Inv#: 8900

Guaranteed Authentic

$3,000