Stamp seal
Unknown Artist
ca. 3rd–7th century CE
Medium
Chalcedony
Dimensions
1.02 x 0.59 in. (2.59 x 1.5 cm)
Classification
Stone-Stamp Seals-Inscribed
Culture & Period
Sasanian · Sasanian
Department
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Carter, 1984
Accession Number
1984.46.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite stamp seal, crafted in chalcedony during the Sian period (ca. 3rd–7th century CE), hails from the vibrant culture of ancient Iran under the Sasanian Empire of the last great Persian dynasties before the Islamic conquest. Measuring just 1.02 x 0.59 inches, this tiny gem was likely used to imprint ownership marks, official documents, or personal seals into soft clay or wax, playing a crucial role in trade, administration, and daily life. Carved from chalcedony, a durable microcrystalline quartz prized for its fine texture and ability to capture intricate details, the seal feature...