Is this a Fake Babylonian Seal?

[Broucheion]

Hi All,

I picked this up many, many years ago. Does anyone know if it is a real seal from Babylonia (or another Mesopotamian culture)? I'm dubious.  Size is 17x33mm. (Extra credit if you can read the cuneiform.)

Many Thanks,
- Broucheion

[DonnaML]

Based on nothing but instinct, it looks fake to me! Did Babylonian seals really have little handles like that, resembling a modern seal? The ones I've seen are usually cylinder seals.

Plus, I don't recall too many naked guys. Usually they wear robes.

[DANTE]

Hi @Broucheion

Not an expert, but I'm skeptical. If it is real, it likely isn't Babylonian. In the Old-Babylonian period they almost exclusively used cylinder seals, in the Neo-Babylonian period sometimes cylinder seals, but mostly trapezoid seals. This is neither. And the iconography/style of the figure doesn't look like anything I recognise as Babylonian. Nor do I recognise any of the script, although it could be some other variety of cuneiform. 

Bron Lipkin from Collecetor Antiquities knows an Assyriologist who does translations. Perhaps he can be of assistance in establishing if the script is genuine. Antiquities for Sale : COLLECTOR Antiquities Dealer

 An Old-Babylonian cylinder:

 

Edited November 17, 2024 by DANTE