Stamp seal
Unknown Artist
ca. 3rd–7th century CE
Medium
Chalcedony, yellow
Dimensions
1 1/16 × 11/16 × 7/8 in. (2.7 × 1.7 × 2.3 cm)
Classification
Stone-Stamp Seals
Culture & Period
Sasanian · Sasanian
Department
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Dodge Fund, 1936
Accession Number
36.106.5
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite yellow chalcedony stamp, crafted by an unknown Sasanian artist around the 3rd to 7th century CE, hails from the vibrant world of the Sasan Empire, which spanned modern-day Iran and beyond. Measuring just over an inch, these diminutive objects were everyday powerhouses in ancient Near Eastern society—used to imprint designs into soft clay or wax on documents, packages, or storage jars, ensuring authenticity and ownership. The Sasanian period, a golden age of Persian art and Zoroastrian culture, saw seals evolve into finely detailed emblems of status, often featuring symbolic moti...