Southern Europe - Fotogalerie - 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.-
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
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
Rare zoomorph Minoan sealExtremely rare ivory stamp seal in the shape of a monkey. Made by the Minoans of Bronze Age Crete. The piece has been studied and published in the canonical Corpus of Minoan and Mycenaean seals in 1988.
€6,500
Roman intaglio with locustThe gemstone made of red-orange carnelian shows a locust with two ears of corn.
€350
Roman intaglioBeautiful gemstone made of orange carnelian. From the Professor Brosch collection of ancient gems.
€330
Minoan stamp seal with leavesExtremely rare ivory stamp seal in the shape of a flat roof. Made by the Minoans of Bronze Age Crete. The piece has been studied and published in the canonical Corpus of Minoan and Mycenaean seals in 1988.
€2,500
Minoan seal with volutesA beautiful specimen made of precious black serpentine. From the Old Palace Period of Bronze Age Crete. The piece has been studied and published in the canonical Corpus of Minoan and Mycenaean seals in 1988.
€1,570
Minoan seal with goatThe Late Minoan piece has two stamped surfaces depicting animals. The piece has been studied and published in the canonical Corpus of Minoan and Mycenaean seals in 1988, as well as in the database of the German archaeological institute (DAI).
€1,800
Discoid Minoan sealFrom Bronze Age Crete with a geometric pattern on the stamp surface. The piece has been studied and published in the canonical Corpus of Minoan and Mycenaean seals in 1988, as well as in the database of the German archaeological institute (DAI).
€1,320