NEO-BABYLONIAN CYLINDER SEAL DEPICTING ENKIDU OR HUMBABA Ca. 800 - 600 BC. A chalcedony cylinder seal engraved with a mythological combat scene. At the centre, the kneeling figure of Humbaba is surmounted by an eight-pointed star. He is flanked by Gilgamesh and Enkidu, both shown bearded and clad in layered garments, each raising a dagger in an aggressive stance. The scene represents the slaying of Humbaba by Gilgamesh and Enkidu, a key episode from the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh set in the cedar forest. Studied by PD Dr. habil. Pieter Gert van der Veen, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz. For similar see: MET Museum Object Number: 1983.314.13 Size: 36mm x 15mm; Weight: 15.55g Provenance: Property of a London gallery; formerly with a Mayfair Art dealer S.A.; Ex. 1990s London collections, suggested to be studied by professor Lambert in the early 90s. Previously in an old British collection formed since the 1960s. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.