Sasanian Stone Cylinder Seal Bead Equestrian & Stag

Ancient Near East/Central Asia, Sasanian (Sassanian/Sassanid) Empire, ca. 2nd to 7th century CE. An opaque warm brown stone cylinder seal depicting a dramatic scene of a hunter on horseback pursuing a massive stag. An eight-pointed star shines in the sky above the scene, known as the Star of Ishtar or Star of Inanna. All of the iconography points to the identity of the person who first wore this item, which is pierced vertically for suspension. The hunting scene connects them with the elite practice of hunting from horseback, while the star affiliates them with worship of the goddess associated with war, fertility, and sexuality. Size: 0.7" H (1.8 cm); 2.2" H (5.6 cm) on included custom stand.

Cylinder seals played a major role in the daily life of the Ancient Near East. Known as kishib in Sumerian and kunukku in Akkadian, royals, government officials, scribes, and slaves used them to transact business and send correspondence. They were worn around the neck or wrist and served as a signature and a guarantee, rolled into the moist clay of accounting and governance documents. They also link our modern world to the past - thousands of years ago, people were concerned with security and authenticity for the documents that they used to conduct business. Cylinder seals were a technological solution to a pressing problem, and their scenes are often complex to prevent forgery and identify individuals.

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

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#151472
Condition Report: Tiny repaired chip near horse's head; otherwise in very nice condition with great remaining motifs. Comes with a modern clay rollout.