Sasanian Banded Agate Stamp Seal Bead w/ Gayomard

Ancient Near East/Central Asia, Sasanian (Sassanian/Sasanid) Empire, ca. 2nd to 7th century CE. A nicely preserved stamp seal carved from beige and citrine-hued banded agate with a flat stamp face depicting Gayomard, the primordial giant born of Ohrmazd in the Zoroastrian religious tradition. The left-facing Gayomard stands in a wide stance while wielding a lengthy spear in each outstretched hand. The round-bodied stamp has a biconical suspension hole drilled laterally through the body. The semi-divine Gayomard lived for 3,000 years in peace and died just 30 years after the 'Onslaught of Evil;' however, his death brought forth the creation of mankind, all vegetal life, and the entire animal population. Custom putty impression included. Size: 0.8" L x 0.5" W x 0.75" H (2 cm x 1.3 cm x 1.9 cm)

Cf. The Brooklyn Museum of Art, accession number 75.55.4

Provenance: private Matrisciano collection, Thousand Oaks, California, USA; ex-Malter Galleries, Inc., Encino, California, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#157511
Condition Report: Very minor nicks and abrasions to stamp body and peripheries, otherwise intact and very good. Great preservation of incised figural imagery on stamp face.