This cylinder seal is decorated with a continuous carved scene that fills the entire surface. The scene includes three male figures. These could be interpreted as representations of the same individual, as they all have the same hairstyle, including a moustache and beard, and similar clothes, and they are each holding a spear. The figure on the far left of the modern impression is facing to the right, with his left foot on a stool, and is holding a spear behind him in his right hand. With his left hand he is stabbing an animal, which appears to be attacking him, in the chest with a knife. The animal stands on its hind legs, with its front paws on his shoulders. The man in the centre has his right foot up on a stool, and is facing to the left. He holds a spear in front of him in his right hand, and his left hand is raised in the air. The third figure is seated on a larger stool, facing right. His right hand is resting on the back of the stool, emphasising the muscles in his arm. His left hand is stretched out straight in front of him, holding a spear which rests vertically on the floor. Between his head and the spear, and on the right of the spear, there are cuneiform characters. As previously mentioned, all the men have a similar appearance; they all have a long beard and moustache, and shoulder-length hair. The two on the left are wearing very similar clothing; a shirt with a triangular neckline and short sleeves, and wide trousers. The right-hand figure seems to be wearing a slightly different outfit, as he has a diagonal stripe across his chest and his lower garment also looks different. The red stone is interspersed with patches of bluish-grey. It has been set in a gold base and a gold top with a ring on it, allowing the seal to be suspended. This means it would have been easy to carry around or wear, functioning both as a status symbol and a practical object.

Cylinder seals were invented in around the 4th millennium BCE, although engraved stones had been used to make impressions since the 7th millennium. The new shape allowed for the seals to be rolled over clay to make the impressions, giving the artists more freedom to employ complex designs. Seals could function as marks of identification or ownership, either on clay that was used literally to seal things like doors, jars, and baskets, or on clay tablets containing information about transactions. They were often made of precious stones, making them important and impressive artworks in their own right.

The Assyrian Empire was a Mesopotamian civilisation which existed from around the 14th century BCE to the 7th century BCE. At its largest extent, during the Neo-Assyrian period, it spanned from parts of what is now Iran in the east to Egypt in the west. In the 13th century, a series of warrior kings conquered nearby territory, increasing the size of the empire. Around the end of this century, a drop in power began, and a lot of the territory was lost. This period, from the 14th to the 10th century, is known as the Middle Assyrian Empire. In the 10th century, the power and territory of the empire increased again, leading to the Neo-Assyrian Empire, which for a time was the dominant political power in the Near East, until it collapsed in the 7th century. The ancient Assyrians spoke the Assyrian language, which is thought to be a dialect of Akkadian, and was written with cuneiform script. Their chief deity was Ashur, a personification of their capital city with the same name, but they worshipped a pantheon of gods. Because of the size and wealth of the empire, lots of impressive art was created to furnish public places. One of the characteristic Assyrian art forms was narrative low reliefs, which were often displayed in palaces. Many cylinder seals were also produced.