A Levantine Steatite Cylinder Seal with Geometric Decoration, Late Bronze Age through early Iron Age, ca. 2nd - 1st Millennium BCE
MA2109
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This ancient cylinder seal, finely carved from brown steatite, features a series of geometric motifs, including nested diamond shapes and circular impressions. The seal was likely used to imprint these designs onto clay, serving as a personal mark of ownership or authority in administrative and commercial transactions.
Steatite was a favored material for seals across the ancient Near East due to its smooth texture and workability, allowing artisans to create intricate designs with precision. The repeating geometric patterns—rather than narrative figural scenes suggest a Levantine origin, consistent with glyptic styles from the 2nd to 1st millennium B.C. Slight wear to the carefully drilled central perforation indicates that the seal was worn, possibly suspended from a cord as a personal amulet as well as a functional tool.
Medium: Brown steatite
Dimensions: Length: 1 3/8 inches (3.06 cm)
Condition: Excellent. Surface shows minor wear consistent with ancient use. Drilled suspension hole intact; carving remains sharp and visible. The patina and surface wear are consistent with prolonged use and age, further attesting to its authenticity.
Provenance: David Liebert collection, assembled in the 1980s, thereafter a private NYC collection, acquired from Liebert in 2006.
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