455, Lot: 534. Estimate $750. Sold for $800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Ancient Near East. Old Babylonian Period. 1925-1550 BC. Hematite cylinder seal (17mm). Figure on the right wearing long fringed robe is a goddess with hands raised in greeting, facing the king; behind, one line of inscription in Akkadian is quite clear. It says “Shamash, Aya”, which is the name of the sun god and his consort Aya. Very common inscription in Old Babyloniann period. Essentially as made. Website shipping rates do not apply.

Shamash was the god of law and justice who gave protection to the wronged and the poor.