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.-
Clay impressions of Roman seals
The ancient impressions in clay are from papyrus documents issued and sealed in Roman times. A fantastic testimonial to Roman bureaucracy.
€250Gnostic 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.
€1,200Stamp seal with handleInteresting Iron Age II seal with schematically engraved animals and humans. The seal is from southern Anatolia or northern Syria.
€280Roman intaglio with goddess of victoryThe glass paste features Victoria writing the names of victors in battle on a large shield.
€340Old 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.
€1,200Roman intaglio with child ErosRoman glass paste with dynamic scene. It shows the god running. Made of purple glass, imitating amethyst.
€160Akkadian cylinder seal with heroThe cylindrical seal boosts a hero protecting two horned animals from attacking lions. A nice symmetrical composition by the seal engraver. Old Akkadian, around 2300 BC.
€1,200Roman intaglio with young satyrNice white-banded, orange-brown glass paste. It shows the spirit of nature in extasy.
€220Roman intaglio with person in mantleAn ancient intaglio from Roman times made of nice orange glass paste. It shows a person leaning on a sword or rudder stock.
€145Akkadian 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.
€1,600Near Eastern cylinder seal with fishThe beige seal shows three groups of stylized fish. Am artefact from Bronze Age Mesopotamia or south-west Iran.
€520Mesopotamian cylinder seal with gazellesThe seal made of nice red stone shows three gazelles walking in line. A wonderful artefact from the Jemdet Nasr period.
€700Near Eastern cylinder seal with temple facadeThe seal shows a stunning stylized scene with a Bronze Age temple facade next to a wild animal and eyes. From Mesopotamia or south-west Iran.
€840Mesopotamian 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.
€700Cylinder 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.
€700Roman intaglio with Ganymede and eagleThe dark glass paste symbolizes a famous love affair from ancient mythology. The sky father Zeus falls in love with the beautiful Ganymede, a Trojan king's son.
€195Roman glass paste with goatThe ancient intaglio shows a goat standing on its hind legs. The front legs are placed against an object. Wonderful details in the dark glass.
€285Sasanian stamp seal with winged horseDark orange Carnelian with engraved schematic depiction of the mythical creature. From the period of Sasanian rule in the Near East.
€190Sasanian 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.
€190Roman intaglio with bullPrime example of Roman glass pastes with a perfectly sharp depiction of a bull ready to fight.
€420Etruscan 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.
€3,120Etruscan 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.
€32,700Sasanian stamp seal with emblemPerfectly preserved seal made of noble green jasper. The piece is from the period of Sasanian rule in the Near East.
€420Sasanian stamp sealVery nice dome-shaped seal made of stone. The piece is from the period of Sasanian rule in the Near East.
€350