stamp-seal

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Object Type: stamp-seal
Museum number: 119387
Description: Agate stamp-seal; dome-shaped; perforated with hole for suspension. The flat surface is engraved with a nimbate rider to left (right when impressed) who attacks hydra, possibly with a lance. Above, a Pahlavi inscription and a possibly a star; chipped and abraded.; complete.
Cultures/periods: Late Sasanian
Production date: 5thC (or later)
Production place: Made in: Asia
Materials: agate
Technique: engraved; perforated
Dimensions: Diameter: 2.30 centimetres (face); Thickness: 1.80 centimetres
$Inscriptions
Bibliographic references: Bivar A D H 1969a / Catalogue of the Western Asiatic Seals in the British Museum. Stamp Seals II: The Sassanian Dynasty (BL 4, pl.7, p.61); Thomas 1852 / Notes introductory to Sassanian mint monograms and gems. With a supplementary note on the Arabico-Pehlvi series of Persian coins (p.420, no.27); Horn P 1890a / Sasanidische Gemmen aus dem British Museum (p.668, no.104 (558), pl.IIa); Pope 1938 / Survey of Persian Art (vol.IV, 256 E); Gignoux P 1976a / Cachets Sassanides du British Museum (p.130) (inscription); Bivar 1968a / Kushan and Kushano-Sasanian Seals and Kushano-Sasanian Coins: Sasanian Seals in the British Museum (pl.XXVI,2); Magistro 2000 / Alcuni aspetti della glittica sacro-magica sasanide: il "cavaliere nimbato"
Location: Not on display
Condition: Fair; chipped and abraded.
Subjects: mythical figure/creature; arms/armour; equestrian; planet/constellation
Acquisition notes: This collection number (1967,0220) is an arbitary date number applied to all seals in the Bivar catalogue of Sasanian stamp seals (Bivar A D H 1969a) whose original date number was unknown.
Department: Middle East
BM/Big number: 119387
Registration number: 1967,0220.36

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