Old Babylonian Hematite Cylinder Seal Fragment with a Goddess (No reserve price)

Cylinder seals were small cylindrical objects used in ancient Mesopotamia to roll impressions onto clay, serving as personal signatures or administrative tools. Originating in the Old Babylonian period (circa 2000–1600 BCE), these seals often depicted intricate scenes with deities, mythological creatures, and ritual imagery. Hematite, a reddish to black iron oxide mineral, was a favored material due to its durability and lustrous finish when polished, ideal for detailed engraving. This fragment likely illustrates a goddess figure, reflecting the religious beliefs and artistic conventions of the era. Such seals provide insight into the social, religious, and economic practices of ancient Babylonian civilization, offering valuable archaeological and cultural context.