Assyro-Babylonian Chalcedony Stamp Seal with Cultic Scene

$568.67

An Assyro-Babylonian chalcedony stamp seal featuring a tall bell shape marked by natural streaks of white. The octagonal base is carved with a finely rendered cultic scene, depicting a standing human figure to the left. He is dressed in long robes and is facing right with his arms raised towards a shrine. The building is comprised of three tall columns, above which shines a solar disc. The piece is pierced, partial blocked, longitudinally for suspension.

Please note that the impression is for reference only.

Date: 7th - 6th century BC
Condition: Fine condition, some earthy encrustations remain inside the suspension hole.

SOLD

SKU: MG-174 Category: Tags: , ,

A seal comprises of a design carved onto a hard material: although most often made of stone, there are also examples rendered in bone, ivory, faience, glass, metal, wood, and even sun-dried or baked clay. Both the material and the scene carved on the seal might have been ascribed with protective qualities. In the ancient world, seals guaranteed the authenticity of marked ownership – as such, they were instrumental in legal transactions, and in the protection of goods against theft. Mesopotamia has been regarded as the cradle of ancient glyphic arts, with the earliest cylinder seals proven to have been firstly executed during the Bronze Age, circa 4th Millennium BC. Each following period in ancient Mesopotamian history contributed in developing styles and techniques of glyphic arts, making seals important in determining chronological phases by providing a visual chronical of style and iconography.

For more about stamp seals, see our relevant blog post: Making their Mark

Weight 18.6 g
Dimensions W 2.4 x H 2.9 cm
Culture

Region

Semi-Precious Stones

Reference: For a similar item, please see The Metropolitan Museum, item 93.17.73

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