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Sasanian Stamp Seal with Zebu Bull browse these categories for related items... All Items: Near East: Sassanian: Pre AD 1000: item #586160
$135 |
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Long an opponent of the Roman and Byzantine empires, the Sasanian empire (AD 224-642) was the last independent Persian monarchy before the Arab conquest of Western Asia in the 7th Century AD. The Sasanian Dynasty began with a regional ruler in the province of Fars in southwest Iran, whose empire eventually stretched from India to the Black Sea after defeating the last of the Parthian emperors. The state religion was Zoroastrianism and many seals bear testament to the importance of this faith in their art.
This seal is carved in bright orange carnelian. The base features a carving of a recumbent bull. Bulls, horses, and rams -- the animals most closely associated with human life and most highly valued -- are the animals that are most commonly carved on Sasanian seals. Because these animals were seen as "allies" of man in his struggle for survival, many took on religious meaning. The bull in particular was linked with the god Mah, the moon. See Christopher Brunner's article, "Sasanian Seals in the Moore Collection: Motive and Meaning in Some Popular Subjects" (Metropolitan Museum Journal, v. 14, 1980) for more details. AGE: 400-642 A.D. CONDITION: Intact and nice. DIMENSIONS: 1.15 cm long |
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