Levantine Stamp Seal with Cuneiform Character

Culture: Levant

Period: Mid 2nd millennium B.C.

Material: Black stone

Dimensions: 2.2 cm x 2.5 cm

Price: 320 Euro

Ref: 6486

Provenance: From the German collection Gustav Oberländer (1926-2012).

Condition: Two corners are worn since ancient times, except for traces of wear intact.

Description: Large, rectangular stamp seal of black stone, which depicts two stylized human beings, between them a massive plant with a round head. The edge of the stamp area is decorated with fine triangles. On the back a knob-like handle, which is horizontally pierced for suspension. On the top of the handle an engraved cuneiform character. In ancient times seals guaranteed the authenticity of labelled properties. As such, they served for legal transactions and protected good from theft. Usually, these seals were worn around the neck or on a belt, where they always were handy.