Early 14th century BC. A jasper cylinder seal with frieze depicting in the centre two genii holding jugs with a bull's head between, below them two lions and a stylised fish; above, a winged disc and a four-character Cypro-Minoan inscription with central rosette; to the left above, two crossed lions, standing on a high altar table or standard; to the right the other two main figures are a goddess with the face of a lioness, in a long dress, supporting a jumping goat with her right hand; behind her is a small human figure with lion's legs and tail, holding its tip with the right hand; the goddess (a kind of mistress of the animals?) faces a bull-headed human (Minotaurus?) in a long dress, opening to show one leg, holding a long handled sickle sword and a lion, upside down; his tail tip is held by the left arm of the goddess; above the hanging lion are another character and a bukranion, and below, the head and neck of a lion; between Minotaurus and the hanging lion are two more characters, between Minotaurus and the two crossed lions a star; Horror vacui. Additional images available by logging in to TimeLine Auctions website. There is a very similar specimen to this seal, published in: Boardman, John Greek Gems and Finger Rings. Early Bronze Age to Late Classical, London, 1970, p.90, fig.206 (photos), p.106 (description and literature); authenticity is supported by the masterful execution of the figures, but especially by some subtle differences: 1) Face of the goddess: Boardman-seal: of a woman; this example is of a lioness. 2) Head above between goddess and Minotaurus: Boardman-seal: the facing head of a horned deity; on this example: a bukranion. 3) The two crossed lions: Boardman-seal: something sandwiched between winged disc and Minotauros; this example: standing on a high altar table or standard. 4) Characters between goddess and Minotaurus: Boardman-seal: only one; this example: three characters. 5) Fish and star this seal are missing in Boardman-seal. 29 grams, 36.7mm (1 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; from his father's collection formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Very fine condition. Very rare.