Hero grasping human-headed winged lion (shedu, sphinx) on either side

Object no. S02554
Description of the seal image The scene is framed by line borders at the top and bottom. A bearded hero grasps a human-headed winged lion (shedu, sphinx) on either side, each by a foreleg. He wears a round headdress and a long, open robe over a short tunic. Behind the hybrid creatures is a winged sun-disc above a stylised tree with globe-tipped branches. In front of the right-hand side sphinx's legs is a small globe with two wedges, possibly indicating a bird's head.
Figures, motifs/symbols - bird's head: uncertani
- borderlines (2): line borders at the top and bottom
- hero: bearded, wearing a round headdress and a long, open robe over a short tunic
- human-headed winged lions (shedus, sphinxes) (2): rampant, bearded, wearing round headdresses
- stylised tree: with globe-tipped branches
- winged sun-disc: with globe-tipped appendages
Subcategory cylinder seal
Collection Habib Anavian Collection
Museum number N/A
Condition, shape slightly chipped upper and lower edges
Culture Neo-Assyrian
Provenance ex-Habib Anavian Collection
First occurence before 1979
Archaeological context N/A
Registration number N/A
Dimensions (mm): height, diameter h: 31, d: 17
Material and features "mottled yellow and red jasper"
Style cut, drilled
Scene contest
Translation N/A
Bibliography

Volk 1979, no. 213.



Volk, J. G.: Habib Anavian Collection. Ancient Near Eastern Cylinder and Stamp Seals from the Early 6th Millennium B.C. to 651 A.D. New York, 1979.

Object history The publications mentioning the objects in this database were collected and the objects classified by ZN; data for the present object was input and description of the object done by HL based on the relevant publication provided, then the data was checked by MNy; object data and description were finalized by ZN (22 February 2026). HL – Huba Lőrincz, ZN – Zoltán Niederreiter, MNy – Mónika Nyitrai
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