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Details
LOT 1195
Sassanian Stone Seal with Four Animal Heads
4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (8.46 grams, 19 mm).
Plano-convex seal with conjoined animal heads; accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note dated April 1999, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Goethite 16x19x15.4 mm. This is a decorated ellipsoid with nearly round flat face, the back with large suspension hole and decorated with three pairs of two raised circles. The design consists of the protomes of four creatures joining the middle: bull, ram (or ibex), stag and eagle. Around them are three fillers: two stars and a crescent. This is a Sassanian seal. c.200-500 A.D. It is in very good condition and has a very rare design. No doubt there is some symbolism in these four creatures, but the present writer does not know what it is.' [No Reserve]
Provenance
UK private collection, 1980-1983.
Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note dated April 1999, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993.
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The object belongs to a large class of compartmented seals, characteristic of this area. These stamps were frequently produced in either copper or bronze and would feature distinctive figural or geometric patterns such as floral and cross motifs, or animals such as goats, snakes, scorpions and mythical beasts. The wild goat or markhor or ibex Shumashti Siru, was a tribal animal subject to representation on the most ancient Bactrian seals.
