Western Asia / Iran, ca. late 3rd to early 2nd millennium BCE. A fascinating and rare bronze cylinder seal with a vertical opening for suspension. Its surface is cast with a standing anthropomorphic figure that appears to hold out a weapon; an ibex or similar ungulate is to one side and a crescent form is below that. It is unclear if this bronze is solid cast or if it is a bronze cap over a bitumen core, as other known bronze cylinder seals are - see for example 1928,1010.261 at the British Museum. It seems likely that it was meant to replicate the beauty of greenstone. Size: 1.1" H (2.8 cm); 2.9" H (7.4 cm) on included custom stand.

Cylinder seals played a major role in the daily life of this region. Known as kishib in Sumerian and kunukku in Akkadian, royals, government officials, scribes, and slaves used them to transact business and send correspondence. They were worn around the neck or wrist and served as a signature and a guarantee, rolled into the moist clay of accounting and governance documents. They also link our modern world to the past - thousands of years ago, people were concerned with security and authenticity for the documents that they used to conduct business. Cylinder seals were a technological solution to a pressing problem, and their scenes are often complex to prevent forgery and identify individuals.

Provenance: private Zaveloff collection, Lakewood, New Jersey, USA, acquired before 2004

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#151474

Rich patina on surface. Motifs have some light wear but are generally well preserved. Accompanied by a modern clay rollout.