Description:

Near East, Sasanian Empire, ca. 2nd to 7th century CE. One of my favorites! A large domed stamp seal, pierced laterally for suspension, bearing on its face an incised image of an ibex with enormous horns and a powerful body. The animal, who faces forward, rears upward against a field of stars, with a dashed border and a dramatic comet soaring across the sky. The seal is made from a warm cinnamon-colored agate, and would have been worn on the wrist or neck of the person whose mark this represented. The Sasanians are particularly famous for their seals bearing animal motifs. Seals bearing animal designs are one of their most enduring symbols. The comet, meanwhile, relates to the ancient Near Eastern knowledge of astronomy - for example, Halley's comet was observed and recorded in 164 and 87 BCE. Size: 1.15" W (2.9 cm); 2.45" H (6.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Zaveloff collection, Lakewood, New Jersey, acquired before 2004

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#151409

  • Condition: Light wear on surface commensurate with age including chips, nicks, and scratches. The motif is in excellent condition. Accompanied by a modern clay rollout.

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February 13, 2020 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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