Stepped pyramidal seal with loop handle

Art Historical Context

This petite stepped pyramidal seal, crafted from glossy black steatite around the 18th century BCE, exemplifies the exquisite miniature artistry of Middle Bronze Age Syria. Measuring just 1.45 x 1.42 cm across its seal face and standing 1.38 cm tall (with a broken string hole it features a loop handle for suspension on a cord, allowing it to be worn or to documents and goods. Steatite, a softstone, was prized for its carvability, enabling intricate designs like the human figures etched on its face—likely scenes of daily life, ritual, or authority. In ancient Syrian culture, stamp seals like t...