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.-
Old Babylonian cylinder sealVery nicely engraved seal made of haematite. The orderly scene shows two gods of the Babylonians.
€2,080
Cylinder seal from the Jemdet Nasr periodThe Mesopotamian seal shows a geometrical arrangement of schematic turtles or tadpoles. Around 3000 BC.
€660
Old Assyrian cylinder sealThe seal shows several gods in front of the god of the heaven. The piece comes from Anatolia or northern Syria, quite possibly from Cappadocia.
€1,150
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
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
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
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 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
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