Cylinder Seal

B3797

From: Iraq | Nippur

Curatorial Section: Near Eastern

View All (3) Object Images

Object Number B3797
Current Location Collections Storage
Provenience Iraq | Nippur
Section Near Eastern
Materials Serpentine
Description

CBS Register: Seal cylinder in serpentine. Place of discovery not reported, HVH

PBS XIV: The worshiping of Martu stepping forth club in hand. He has the usual turban, beard, tunic, embroidered shawl covering one shoulder and hanging to the knees. One angle seems to be fastened to the belt by a metal clasp. The Martu dress has much in common with the old Akkadian dress. Only the turban seems to belong to a more recent period. The god holds his club near the round stone head. In the same manner does the Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal, on the famous statue of Nimrud, hold his scepter club, while wielding a curved scimitar in his hanging right. The end of the scepter has a tassel ornament. Martu's right hangs bare and idle with no weapon.

A divine attendant adores with both hands up. She has the usual horned mitre, hair tied in a loop and flounced robe.

An interesting inscription characterizes Martu as the god of stormy dust clouds, who, club in hand, rules the tornadoes of the desert, a new god of storm like Ramman.

"Martu//son of Anu//who stirs up the mighty dust clouds." Concave cyl. seal. Serpentine, 30 1/2 x 16 mm. Nippur, 1891.

Credit Line Babylonian Expedition to Nippur II, 1890
Other Number PBS XIV: 342 - Other Number

Report problems and issues to digitalmedia@pennmuseum.org.