Ancient Near East, Luristan, ca. 1000 to 800 BCE. A charming stamp seal with a rounded base with four small, avian projections spaced evenly around its sides. The handle of the piece is two ibex heads with dramatic curved horns rising from a columnar projection that is pierced for suspension. The ibex, as a horned animal, was often symbolically linked to plant, animal, and human fertility. It was also linked to the iconography of the hunt, which was a popular activity in the ancient Near East for royalty and elites. Comes with modern cord to make it wearable as a necklace. Size: 1.5" W x 1.55" H (3.8 cm x 3.9 cm)

Provenance: private Los Angeles County, California, USA collection; ex-private Los Angeles, California, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#134876

Heavy encrustation and patina on the surface has obscured the stamp face. The horns on one of the ibexes may have been repaired, but if so, it is extremely well done and almost impossible to see. With modern cord to make it wearable.