A carved object made of black steatite. It is in the form of two flat, rounded surfaces that each have been engraved with straight, intersecting lines that make irregular grids.
detail of seal Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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detail of seal Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

A carved object made of black steatite. It is in the form of two flat, rounded surfaces that each have been engraved with straight, intersecting lines that make irregular grids. One of the surfaces is slightly bigger than the other. It is shown on a grey background with the slightly larger rounded surface facing the viewer.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1992.256.287
Title
Double-Faced Stamp Seal: Geometric Design
Other Titles
Alternate Title: Stalk-handled stamp seal with two oval faces
Classification
Seals
Work Type
seal
Date
6000-4000 BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Anatolia
Period
Neolithic period
Culture
Anatolian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/288668

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3440, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Ancient Middle Eastern Art in the Service of Kings
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Steatite
Technique
Carved
Dimensions
L: 2.7cm; W: 2.3cm; H: 2.3cm

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Louise M. and George E. Bates, Camden, ME, (by 1992), gift; to Harvard University Art Museums, 1992.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Louise M. and George E. Bates
Accession Year
1992
Object Number
1992.256.287
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Stalk-handled stamp seal with two oval faces on the opposite ends; crisscross design in each face.

Exhibition History

  • 32Q: 3440 Middle East, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu