Innovative Techniques Used to Decorate the Perforations of Some Akkadian Rock Crystal Cylinder Seals

Abstract

Two large Akkadian rock crystal cylinder seals retain red and white decorations painted within their central perforations; one seal is striped while the other bears a chevron design. In the case of the striped seal, the walls of the perforation were longitudinally grooved, presumably to aid retention of the decoration. Hematite or red ochre was used as red pigment in both seals. It would have been possible to paint the red stripes/chevrons around the central perforations with a small brush operated from within a narrow tube. The perforations were subsequently over-painted with white pigment (probably calcined bone) providing a contrasting background. Lead liners were inserted into the perforations of both seals, apparently to protect the decorations.The perforation of another rock crystal seal is longitudinally grooved and bears the corroded remains of a copper liner which may have also served a decorative purpose. Traces of red pigment and/or distinct longitudinal grooves were observed in three other seals and may be present in a further two seals. Thus, the perforations of at least six and possibly eight of the twelve Akkadian rock crystal cylinder seals in the British Museum's collections appear to have been decorated. These observations suggest that the practice of painting or decorating the perforations was more common than has previously been appreciated.