Early Elamite Stone Cylinder Seal with a Religious Scene

A finely engraved Elamite stone cylinder seal, featuring a horizontal frieze that presents a full, Mesopotamian-styled religious scene in Elamite linear glyphic practices. Within this scene, an ankle-length garmented male deity, is presented standing in profile solemnly. He is depicted with a capped headdress and he holds a recumbent deer in front of his chest. Before him is a squatting quadruped, possibly a dog, its head raised high, which looks upon the standing god. This gesture of adoration is echoed by a clean-shaven, kilted male worshipper who stands behind, his right hand raised above his head in a worshipping gesture. They are followed by a heraldic group, including a priest, two ibexes and a horned bull. They are portrayed in an iconic herding scene that is frequently seen on early Mesopotamian prototypes. The male priest is depicted bearded and wearing a rounded cap and a short skirt, and holds two sticks to herd the ruminants standing in front of him. The animals’ bodies are depicted through the use of elongated cylindrical shapes, whilst their facial features and swirled, curved horns are depicted naturalistically.

Above the religious scene, a radiant sun motif and three pottery vessels are bordered by a frieze and carved in fine detail. These three pottery vessels feature various body shapes, ranging from tall storage jars with a bulbous body and a high neck to a squat, globular shape with a modelled handle. This small frieze acts as a filler ornament to the rest of the scene.