24th-22nd century BC. A black agate cylinder seal with rather flat engraving but well-detailed, on the left a facing nude la?mu (hairy hero) grappling with a rearing bull, to the right a facing bull-man (kusarikku) grappling with a rearing lion with S-curved tail, a bearded left-facing hero wearing a pointed helmet and short skirt, attacking the lion from behind, reaching into his mane with his right hand, holding a three-spiked battle axe in his left hand. Cf. Boehmer, R. M. Die Entwicklung der Glyptik während der Akkad-Zeit, Berlin, 1965, pl.XIII, fig.137 and 138; also Collon, D. Catalogue of the Western Asiatic Seals in the British Museum. Cylinder Seals II: Akkadian-Post Akkadian, Ur III-Periods, London, 1982, pl.X-XVII. 13.9 grams, 29mm (1 1/4"). Property of a North London gentleman; previously in a London collection since before 1999. Very fine condition.