AN ACHAEMENID CARNELIAN CYLINDER SEAL, THREE SASANIAN SEALS AND AN ANCIENT SCARABOID
AN ACHAEMENID CARNELIAN CYLINDER SEAL, THREE SASANIAN SEALS AND AN ANCIENT SCARABOID

CIRCA 5TH CENTURY B.C.-5TH CENTURY A.D.

Details
AN ACHAEMENID CARNELIAN CYLINDER SEAL, THREE SASANIAN SEALS AND AN ANCIENT SCARABOID
CIRCA 5TH CENTURY B.C.-5TH CENTURY A.D.
The Achaemenid cylinder seal with two Persian kings fighting a rampant lion, the terminal in the form of a stylised date palm, a striding ibex either side, a bird flying above, with two-line Aramaic inscription above; a Sasanian white chalcedony domed stamp seal with an investiture scene, the mounted king accepting the royal diadem from Ahura Mazda, also mounted, an enemy trampled underfoot; a Sasanian carnelian intaglio, one side with a male portrait facing left, wearing pendant earring, a Pahlavi inscription above, the reverse with a recumbent zebu and two winged griffins; a Sasanian haematite intaglio with a winged griffin; and an ancient green steatite scaraboid, the underside with geometric design
Cylinder seal: 1 ¼ in. (3.2 cm.) long; domed stamp seal 1 ¼ in. (3.2 cm.) diam.
Provenance
Colonel Norman Colville, M.C. (1893-1974) collection; and thence by descent to the present owner.

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Francesca Hickin
Francesca Hickin

Lot Essay

Cf. the rock relief at Naqsh-e Rostam for the investiture scene of King Ardeshir I (224-242 A.D.).

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