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

Stone cylindrical seal engraved with four figures, wearing hats, and and a creature. Two figures wear belted skirts and chest harnesses, the second two figures have exposed legs. All four figures wear hats. Between the two sets of figures is an unknown creature. The cylinder is pierced with a hole through the 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).

1071-1875