Greek Pyramid Seal with Inscription

Greek Pyramid Seal with Inscription

Circa 5th century B.C. With incuse Zeus seated on a stool, holding the shaft of a sceptre topped by an eagle, legend to the side 'XA?O?'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. Cf. Boardman, J., Greek Gems and finger rings, Early Bronze Age to Late Classical, London, 2001, no.1037, p.392, for similar. 5.02 grams, 20 mm (3/4 in.).

From the property of late Mr SM, London, UK, 1969-1999.

The seal bears a classical representation of seated Zeus with his eagle-headed sceptre. The inscribed name (Charon) is probably the one of the owner, according to the interpretation of Boardman. The parallel of the image on this seal can be seen on a blue chalcedony scaraboid, type A.L.17 preserved in the Getty Museum (inventory 84.AN.I.12).