Sealing
Unknown Artist
ca. 7th century CE
Medium
Un-baked clay
Dimensions
1 1/4 × 1 1/4 × 1/2 in. (3.1 × 3.1 × 1.3 cm)
Classification
Clay-Sealings
Culture & Period
Sasanian · Sasanian
Department
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1936
Accession Number
36.30.172
Art Historical Context
This delicate clay sealing, crafted by an unknown artist around the 7th century CE during the late Sasanian period, a tangible glimpse into the administrative world of ancient Persia. Measuring just 1¼ × 1¼ × ½ inches, this un-baked clay impression—likely pressed from a cylinder seal—was used to secure documents, containers, or doors, ensuring the integrity of goods and official correspondence. Its soft, unfired medium made it practical for everyday use but fragile over time, preserving the intricate details of the original seal's design. The Sasanian Empire (224–651 CE), a powerhouse of Pers...