Item Type

Book

Condition

Very Good

Used-very good.

Full Description

Ancient Near Eastern Cylinder Seals From the Marcopoli Collection

Beatrice Teissier

University of California Press, 1985; Hardcover; 420 pages;

The Cylinder seals catalogued and described in this volume are part of an exceptional collection of seals amassed by the Marcopoli family in Aleppo. The collection constitutes one of the most comprehensive groupings of cylinder seals discovered so far and significantly enhances our knowledge of ancient Near Eastern glyptic art. Some 720 cylinder seals of the collection are discussed and described. Of particular interest are the large number of Syrian seals. Many are of high quality and exceptional beauty and several are from little known periods in the history of Syrian glyptic art. A general introduction on ancient Near Eastern glyptic art precedes the text. The main part of the book is divided into introductory chapters to each group of seals and the catalogue entries. The chapters include a short historical introduction, a discussion of the relevant style, and pertinent iconography, as well as commentary on individual seals of interest. Specific comparanda or specialised commentary are included in the catalogue entries. Technical analyses of material are included in the text and appendix. The latter also contains a list of seal inscriptions, a chart of the chronological distribution of materials, and a concordance. There is also a detailed bibliography and chronological chart.

The field of ancient Near Eastern glyptic art will undoubtedly be richer for the publication of this catalogue. Scholars will be greatly stimulated by the number and quality of seals that are presented for the first time and the general reader will be made more aware that cylinder seals are not merely functional relics-they are also an art form.