Stone cylinder seal, Ancient Babylonian, c. 20th- 18th century BC

Stone cylindrical seal engraved with four figures and an inscription. The four figures are depicted walking with exposed legs. Alternating figures have raised and lowered arms. All figures wear hats. Half of the seal features a vertical cuneiform inscription. Th cylinder is pierced with a hole through one axis.

This object was purchased in Iran by Robert Murdoch Smith on behalf of the Museum, from an un-named Persian source in Tehran. It was part of a batch of fifteen objects, including woven and embroidered textiles, metalwork, carved stone and painted pasteboard. Murdoch Smith wrote: "I have purchased [these] objects which I think would be very suitable for the Museum. I will retain them at your disposal should you decide on acquiring them, and if not, I do not object to keeping them myself. It is almost impossible to get Persians to keep such articles pending a reference from London, especially as there are several people now in Teheran ready to buy, notably Baron Reuter's Agent, and one of the members of the Austrian Legation" (V&A Archive).

1068-1875