Barakat Gallery
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Artworks
  • Exhibitions
  • About
  • Contact
Menu
  • Menu

The Barakat Collection

Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Cylinder Seal of Dark Stone, 2300 BCE - 2200 BCE

Cylinder Seal of Dark Stone, 2300 BCE - 2200 BCE

Dark Stone
1.02 x 1.6
LK.149
Enquire
%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ECylinder%20Seal%20of%20Dark%20Stone%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2300%20BCE%20%20-%20%202200%20BCE%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3EDark%20Stone%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E1.02%20x%201.6%3C/div%3E
The design consists of a contest scene: three pairs of heroes fighting big animals, all on their hind legs. First (from left) a bull with a human face is grappling...
Read more
The design consists of a contest scene: three pairs of heroes fighting big animals, all on their hind legs. First (from left) a bull with a human face is grappling a lion, then a nude hero with a big beard holding an axe is grappling with another lion, and finally a second nude hero is grappling with another lion, and finally a second nude her is grappling with a buffalo.

This is an Akkadian seal from Mesopotamia, c. 2300-2200 B.C. It is in the classical Akkadian style, which, in contrast to previous Sumerian at, cultivated a naturalism, which is particularly clear in the animals here. The motivation behind this type of design in the Akkadian period was based on the state ethic of the time. The Akkadian kings ruled an empire and military might was admired. Thus the earlier Sumerian scenes showing domestic animals being protected from wild animals, especially lions, were transformed into scenes of great strength to heroism: lions being wrestled with bare hands.
Close full details
Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Previous
|
Next
11298 
of  28197

London

48 Albemarle Street,

London, W1S 4JW

info@barakatgallery.eu 

 

       


 

CONTACT | TEAM | PRESS 

 

Seoul
58-4, Samcheong-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82 02 730 1949
barakat@barakat.kr
             

 

Los Angeles

941 N La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90069
+1 310 859 8408

contact@barakatgallery.com

  


 

 

Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Send an email
View on Google Maps
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2025 Barakat Gallery
Site by Artlogic


Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences
Close

Join our mailing list

Sign Up

* denotes required fields