Archers hunting deer and gazelle (antelope)

Object no. S02051
Description of the seal image The scene is framed by line borders with triangles pointing outwards at the top and bottom. A hunter (archer) wearing a broad-belted tunic with a fringed lower edge aims his bow at a jumping gazelle (antelope). He has a curved weapon, likely a sickle sword (scimitar) in his belt. In front of him is a flower-like plant with five hanging heads, while between his legs is a bird. Opposite him, a smaller archer wearing a tunic aims his bow at a deer (stag). He also has a curved weapon in his belt. Between them is a small plant with pointy leaves, likely an ear of wheat ('bottle-brush' tree). Above the head and the back of the deer are two further birds, respectively. In the sky from left to right, there is an omega-shaped symbol, a globe-centred, eight-rayed star or eight-petalled flower, the Sibitti (Pleiades), and a crescent moon above two globes.
Figures, motifs/symbols - birds (3)
- borderlines (2): line borders with triangles pointing outwards at the top and bottom
- crescent moon
- deer: stag
- gazelle (antelope): jumping
- globes (2)
- hunter 1: archer, beardless, wearing a broad-belted tunic with a fringed lower edge, has a curved weapon in his belt, likely a sickle sword (scimitar)
- hunter 2: archer, facing right, beardless, wearing a tunic, has a curved weapon in his belt, likely a sickle sword (scimitar)
- omega-shaped symbol
- plant 1: flower-like, with five hanging heads
- plant 2: small, with pointy leaves, likely ear of wheat ('bottle-brush' tree)
- Sibitti (Pleiades)
- star or flower: eight-rayed or eight-petalled, globe-centred
Subcategory cylinder seal
Collection ex-Mrs William H. Moore Collection
Museum Number Mrs Moore 62
Condition, shape slightly worn
Culture / Production Place North Syrian
Provenance ex-Mrs William H. Moore Collection
First Occurrence before 1940
Archaeological context N/A
Registration number N/A
Dimensions (mm), height, diameter h: 50, d: 18
Material and features "felsite"
Style linear
Scene hunting
Bibliography

Eisen 1940, 51 no. 74. and pl. IX.



Eisen, G. A.: Ancient Oriental Cylinder and Other Seals with a Description of the Collection of Mrs. William H. Moore. (Oriental Institute Publications 47) Chicago, 1940.

Object history
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