NINETEEN NEAR EASTERN SEALS AND AMULETS

NINETEEN NEAR EASTERN SEALS AND AMULETS
circa 5th-1st millennium b.c.
Including seven serpentine, steatite, and diorite stamp seals, circa 5th-4th millennium B.C., of varying sizes and shapes, each engraved with a geometric design; an agate amulet, circa late 3rd millennium B.C., in the form of a fish head perforated through the mouth; two haematite amulets, circa 3rd millennium B.C., one in the form of the head of a calf, the other in the form of the stylized head of an animal, perforated through the ears; a diorite amulet, of the same period, in the form of a bird, perforated through the breast; and eight objects, circa 2nd-1st millennium B.C., including a square serpentine pendant amulet engraved with a geometric design; one frit and one serpentine cylinder seal with a cross-hatched pattern; a limestone die-shaped seal engraved on four sides and pierced through the center; a haematite hemispheroid; a serpentine amulet in the form of a fist; a diorite gag-shaped button; and a diorite scarab
13/8 in. (3.5 cm) high for the largest (19)