Edith Porada

“{{cite journal|date=March 26, 1994|title=Edith Porada, 81, Dies; Columbia Art Historian|journal=The New York Times|pages=p. 8, Section 1|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/26/obituaries/edith-porada-81-dies-columbia-art-historian.html}}”

“Porada, born in Vienna, fled Europe in 1938, after {{w|Kristallnacht}}. One of the few things she brought with her to New York was the plate copy of her dissertation, complete with her drawings of seal impressions from European collections, which she presented to {{w|Belle da Costa Greene}}, {{w|Morgan Library & Museum|the Morgan}}’s first director.In ancient {{w|Mesopotamia}}, {{w|cylinder seal}}s — often carved with exquisitely detailed scenes — were used to roll the owner’s unique stamp onto a document produced by scribes, attesting to its authenticity.”

“{{w|Akkad (city)|Akkad}}, the capital of the dynasty since {{w|Sargon of Akkad|Sargon}} founded it, remains to be discovered.”

“Major sculptures which first attracted the attention of the world's art lovers to the ancient Near East derive from the time of {{w|Gudea}} of {{w|Lagash}}, known to have been an elder contemporary of {{w|Ur-Nammu}} ...”

“As a rule {{w|Cylinder seal|cylinder}}s were perforated lengthwise, so that a wire or piece of string could be passed through the hole and then fastened to the necklace or wristband on which the seal was usually worn. Fairly often the seal-stones were set between caps of gold, silver, or copper.”