Seals and Sealings

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Cylinder seals were rolled onto clay tablets or clay sealings for identification, verification or authorization, much like a modern signature or official stamp. The design, carved in the negative, left a positive impression when rolled out. The Mittanian seals with the most elaborate and best carved designs are known only from their impressions. Among these are the seals of Saushtatar, king of Mittani, Ithi-Teshshup, king of Arrapha, and Ar-Shali, a Nuzi official, besides numerous uninscribed seals.

The seals that have been found were made of two types: composition (sintered quartz paste covered with glaze) and hard stone. Seal inscriptions can provide information on seal ownership and use. For example, the seal of the Mittanian king Saushtatar was used as a dynastic seal by his descendants, while Ar-Shali's seal survived for several generations as an official seal.

	Seal of Ithi-Teshshup Primary scene: the ruler stands facing right. Secondary scene: a winged human-headed reptile, kneeling scorpion-man with tongue of fire, storm god on fire-spitting dragon wielding lightening bolt, bird-man bent at waist, winged fish-demon, double-headed griffin, frontal nude female. Field: star-disk crescent, demon mask. Inscription: "Ithi-Teshshup, son of Kipi-Teshshup, king of the land of Arrapha, uses this seal in matters pertaining to land and buildings. May no one ever break (this tablet)."
	Seal of Ithi-Teshshup Two figures stand beside a star-and-crescent standard; the ruler raises his right hand (left); the other figure (right) grasps the standard. Inscription: "Ithiya, king of Arrapha, son of Kipi-Teshshup." This seal comes from the palace of Stratum II at Nuzi (Yorghan Tepe).
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	Sealed Bulla: In this seal, a winged figure with bird's feet holds a lightning bolt; a winged monster holds mountain sheep; a bird-headed winged lion attacks mountain sheep. On the lower border are recumbent lions and mountain sheep.
	Sealed Bulla: In this scene, lions attack a stag; there is a bird and a mask in the field. This bulla, from the early 2nd millennium BCE, may date from before the time of the Mittanian kingdom.
	Bulla with Seal of Ar-Shali: Two figures face a central star-standard; a storm god holding lightening bolt and sickle sword stands on a fire-spitting dragon (left); a worshiper holding a sacrificial kid raises his right hand toward the standard (right). Field: Star, antelope head, bird. Inscription: "Ar-Shali son of Aria, servant of the gods Shamash and Ishkur."

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