Stamp seal (oval conoid) with cultic scene

Art Historical Context

This exquisite oval conoid stamp seal carved from flawed neutral agate—a durable variety of quartz—offers a glimpse into the Neo-Assyrian world of the 7th century BCE. just 2.35 x 2.09 cm on its seal face and standing 2.92 cm tall, this tiny artifact was designed to be worn on a string (hole diameter 0.25 cm) and into soft clay to leave an impression. Its intimate scale belies its practical power: seals like this authenticated documents, marked property, and sealed transactions across the vast Assyrian Empire. The engraved cultic scene on its face captures a ritual moment, likely involving de...