7th-5th century BC. A rock crystal conoid stamp seal pierced for suspension, accompanied by a museum-quality impression and a typed and signed scholarly note issued by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'This has a convex octagonal face and high sides that rise vertically to a round top, below which it is pierced. The face has a design of two rearing, facing horned animals. On one side there is a second design: on a base-line: a recumbent mushussu-monster, a mixture of lion and snake, and from its back rise the spade, symbol of the god Marduk, and the stylus, symbol of the god Nabu. This is a late Babylonian seal, c.600-450 B.C. but possibly made in Syria. The design on the face is rare, but not unknown elsewhere, and a second design on the side is also rare. However, the seal is worn and chipped'. See Christie's, Fine Antiquities, South Kensington, Wednesday 25th April 2001, Lot 464, for this item. 8.3 grams, 29mm (1"). From an important private UK collection, acquired from Christie’s, London, 25 April 2001, lot 464; accompanied by a copy of a typed and signed scholarly note, by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993 and by copies of the relevant Christie’s catalogue pages.