Lot 40
**Originally Listed At $350**
Ancient Near East, Anatolian, ca. 3rd millennium BCE. A finely carved gable-shaped stamp seal, fashioned from a rich burgundy-hued stone and engraved with the image of a striding ibex - a powerful symbol of vitality and endurance in early Anatolian and broader Near Eastern cultures. The ibex is depicted in profile with an elongated, graceful body, slender legs, a raised head, and a short, dangling tail. Its most striking feature is a magnificent set of curved horns, arcing elegantly backward to match the full length of its body, embodying the animal's agility and wild majesty. A vertically drilled hole through the seal would have allowed it to be suspended and worn as a bead or pendant, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. In the ancient world, stamp seals like this were personal emblems used to secure and mark ownership on clay tablets, vessels, or storage containers. They often reflected the identity, profession, or beliefs of the owner, and were considered both utilitarian and talismanic. Size: 0.5" L x 1.2" W x 0.8" H (1.3 cm x 3 cm x 2 cm)
The gable form of this seal - with its peaked top and balanced symmetry - adds a distinctive architectural quality, perhaps alluding to protection, permanence, or divine shelter. Ibex imagery was widespread across the ancient Near East, revered for its connection to fertility, mountain landscapes, and sacred animals. This seal offers a window into the visual language and ritual life of early Anatolian societies, where personal adornment, administrative utility, and spiritual symbolism merged seamlessly.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA
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#193994
- Condition: Chipping to edges and small areas of loss to lower left as well as to suspension hole on verso. Otherwise, clear imagery and nice presentation. Not recommended for wear due to losses on suspension hole.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 + | $500 |