Cylinder Seal with Winged Genius and Human-headed Bulls

Cylinder Seal with Winged Genius and Human-headed Bulls

Neo-Assyrian period (c. 1000–612 B.C.)

c. 700 B.C.

Blue Chalcedony

H. 1 9/16 in. (4 cm); Diam. 7/8 in. (2.2 cm)

AP 2001.04

This seal shows an Assyrian winged genius between rampant, winged, human-headed bulls. All wear the horned headdress of deities and supernatural beings, and have long curled hair and beards. These semi-divine beings frequently appear on bas-reliefs (like those in the Kimbell's collection), and elsewhere in Assyrian art, especially in connection with the king. A deer is shown at a smaller scale in the space below the inscription. This text, in Assyrian cuneiform states: "Belonging to Nabu-apla-iddin, son of Bel-shuma-ibni . . . "

Kimbel art Museum

https://www.kimbellart.org/collection-object/cyl