Sassanian Onyx Seal with Two Horses and Riders

4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.

1 in. (16.37 grams, 24 mm).

Plano-convex seal with intaglio image of two horsemen face-to-face with a segmented arch between them; probably the Sassanian equivalent of the Diskouroi; supplied with a museum-quality impression.

Provenance

Acquired between 1980-1983.
From the 'Empire' collection, an important UK private collection of seals, no.10.

Accompanied by a copy of an old typed cataloguing page signed by A D H Bivar.

Literature

A similar image of two horsemen also appears on a Sassanian silver-gilt dish now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (accession no.63.152). Alternatively, the image may be of an investiture scene, as shown in the sculpture of Naqsh-i Rustam. Cf. BM Stamp Seals II, reference BL6.

CONDITION

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LOT 0242