Ancient Near East / Central Asia, Sassanian (Sasanian / Sassanid) Empire, ca. 224 to 651 CE. A beautiful intaglio of ovoid form that is hand-carved from dark blue-gray stone with swirling light gray, sage green, and dark blue veining. The topside is slightly convex and tapers to planar peripheries, and a suspension hole is biconically drilled lengthwise through the body. Incised on the underside is a left-facing ibex that stands upon slender legs while raising its head high to display its massive horns. A modern sterling silver pin is inserted through the suspension hole so the stamp seal can be suspended from a modern sterling silver chain. A fabulous example of ancient art combined with modern fashion! Size (intaglio): 0.5" W x 0.61" H (1.3 cm x 1.5 cm); (necklace): 19" L (48.3 cm)
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#143529
Condition
Wearable as shown and constructed in modern times. Stone intaglio is ancient; sterling silver suspension pin and chain are modern. Stamp seal has minor nicks and abrasions to topside and bottom, with very light softening to incised ibex, otherwise intact and very good. Great preservation to ibex and nice surface smoothness.