**First Time At Auction**

Ancient Near East, Achaemenid Persian Empire, Classical Phoenician / Greco-Phoenician, ca. 539 to 332 BCE. A rare black jasper stamp seal in the form of a scarab with the image of a man riding a horse incised onto the base and a lateral drill hole for suspension. Naturalistically rendered, the ancient insect displays smooth wings, a notched thorax, a striped clypeus, and feathered front legs. The horseman rides right and either raises an arm or holds a spear, while the horse presents a thick body atop slender legs with a prominent, crested mane and a lengthy tail that extends from his round posterior. Classical Phoenician scarabs were made in Phoenicia in the period of the Achaemenid Persian empire. Aside from the Etruscans, they are the last major production of scarab seals in antiquity. Size: 0.6" L x 0.5" W (1.5 cm x 1.3 cm)

Phoenician subjects of their intaglios are the most eclectic of any medium of the period, and are sorted into the categories of Egyptianizing, Levantine, and Hellenizing. Though not as common on Greek scarabs, this horseman would be considered a Hellenizing subject.

For similar examples, please see section 27 "Horsemen" in "Classical Phoenician Scarabs: A Catalogue and Study" by John Boardman (Oxford England: Archaeopress, 2003).

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#178714

Some light surface wear with minor nicks to periphery as shown, but form and imagery are clear. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice remaining detail and light earthen deposits in recessed areas. Wearable as a bead or pendant.