Ancient seals, cameos and intaglios
Ancient seals, cameos and intaglios
The ancient techniques of hardstone engraving, which originated in the ancient Near East and culminated with innovations and new developments in the Mediterranean, are represented in our online shop by fascinating examples of cylinder seals, scarabs, cameos and intaglios. Early cylinder and stamp seals from the ancient Near East deserve special credit. They are manifest reflections of the earliest urban cultures and religions in this region. Sassanian seals represent a special group among the seals from the Near East. They differ from other seals in their shape, but also in motifs which were influenced by the unique mythological and religious concepts of the Sassanids. Scarabs from Egypt represent another type of seals and are thought to be the most important symbol of regeneration. They are figuratively as sacred to Egyptians as the Holy Cross to Christians. Scarab seals became popular even outside of Egypt, especially in the Levant, where they were adapted to other religious and personal needs. The glyptic arts reached their peak during Hellenistic and Roman times, so that a Roman intaglio or cameo is a must-have for every collection. Cameos and intaglios from these era mostly depict divine and human figures, as well as endemic plants and animals.-
Gnostic intaglio with magic spellThe two sides show a woman with lion's head and a magical text. The piece is from the period of Gnosticism in the 2nd and 3rd century.
€1,200
Stamp seal with handleInteresting Iron Age II seal with schematically engraved animals and humans. The seal is from southern Anatolia or northern Syria.
€280
Old Babylonian cylinder seal with godsSeal of reddish brown stone from the Middle Bronze Age of Mesopotamia. It shows three standing deities, one with the shepherd's staff of Amurru.
€1,200
Akkadian cylinder seal with animal contestThe cylindrical seal from Mesopotamia shows domesticated animals fighting with lions and a bull-man. An impressively large piece for a cylinder seal. Old Akkadian, around 2300 BC.
€1,600
Mesopotamian cylinder seal with animalsThe unusually long seal shows two horned animals with grain and eye symbols. A wonderful artefact from ancient Mesopotamia.
€900
Near Eastern cylinder seal with fishThe beige seal shows three groups of stylized fish. Am artefact from Bronze Age Mesopotamia or south-west Iran.
€520
Mesopotamian cylinder seal with water creaturesThe seal of light red stone shows two panels with interposed and stylized aquatic animals. Made around the onset of Bronze Age in Mesopotamia.
€700
Cylinder seal from MitanniCharacteristic art of seal engraving from the Late Bronze Age state of Mittani in present-day Syria. With animals under band of waves.
€700
Sasanian stamp seal with winged animalWonderful stone, a cream-coloured agate. The engraved animal is probably a gazelle ready to jump. From the period of Sasanian rule in the Near East.
€190
Etruscan scarab with woman and jugThe high quality work of miniature art shows a woman fetching water. A showpiece of late Etruscan glyptics made of beautiful carnelian.
€3,120
Etruscan scarab with athletesMiniature work of art of the highest quality, a flagship of late Etruscan glyptics. Made of shimmering orange carnelian. Published several times and with provenance dating back to the 19th century.
€32,700
Sasanian stamp sealVery nice dome-shaped seal made of stone. The piece is from the period of Sasanian rule in the Near East.
€350
Mesopotamian stamp seal in bull shapeThe perfectly preserved seal is from the Jemdet Nasr period. The stamp shows two goats.
€2,800
Roman intaglio with eagleThe ancient work shows an eagle in a dynamic movement spreading his wings. Beautiful orange glass paste.
€210
Roman gold ring with intaglioThe beautiful ring from Roman Imperial times is decorated by an intaglio of vibrant red carnelian stone. It shows the god Hermes.
€2,600
Roman intaglio with octopusDecorative insert made of beautiful, green shimmering glass paste, with a rare depiction.
€450
Sasanian stamp sealVery nice dome-shaped seal made of stone. The piece is from the period of Sasanian rule in the Near East.
€250
Sasanian stamp sealVery nice dome-shaped seal made of stone. The piece is from the period of Sasanian rule in the Near East.
€350
Sasanian stamp sealVery nice dome-shaped seal made of stone. The piece is from the period of Sasanian rule in the Near East.
€230