A fine Mesopotamian cylinder seal carved from chalcedony with a natural orange striation to one side at the top. The seal is engraved with an offering scene: the central wined figure, possibly a deity, is portrayed with an amphora-like body shape and facing left. To his both sides are two standing figures, likely worshippers, holding a bird in their hands and offering to the deity. There are two quadrupeds, possibly lions, depicted sitting by the deity's foot with their one paw raised and facing the worshippers. The seal is perforated longitudinally for suspension; the perforation is slightly off-centre. Some earthy encrustations are visible to the surface. Please note the impression is for reference only. Seals were often made of stone however there are also examples rendered in bone, ivory, faience, glass, metal, wood, and even sun-dried or baked clay. In the ancient world, seals guaranteed the authenticity of marked ownership – as such, they were instrumental in legal transactions, and in the protection of goods against theft. Seal amulets with stylised animals have been found throughout Mesopotamia in contexts dating to the late fourth millennium BC, although stamp seals and cylinder seals were the predominant types in the ancient Near East. Measurements: H 2.7cm x W 1.1cm Provenance: From Ex. Cotswold collection 1980. A large part of the collection was sold by a Cirencester Auction in November 2018.