Harvard Art Museums > 1986.568: Scaraboid Stamp Seal: Horseman Spearing a Falling Man Seals Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"Scaraboid Stamp Seal: Horseman Spearing a Falling Man , 1986.568,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Dec 18, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/289090. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 1986.568 Title Scaraboid Stamp Seal: Horseman Spearing a Falling Man Classification Seals Work Type seal Date 500-300 BCE Period Classical period Culture Achaemenid Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/289090 Physical Descriptions Medium Gray chalcedony Technique Intaglio Dimensions 1.4 x 1.6 x 0.8 cm (9/16 x 5/8 x 5/16 in.) Provenance Recorded Ownership History Damon Mezzacappa, gift; to the Harvard Art Museum, 1986. Acquisition and Rights Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Damon Mezzacappa Accession Year 1986 Object Number 1986.568 Division Asian and Mediterranean Art Contact am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu Permissions The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request. Descriptions Description This chalcedony scaraboid stamp seal features an image of a mounted warrior attacking a felled opponent. The carving of the horse is shallow, save for the swells of its chest and hindquarters. Its front legs are raised some, as if about to trample the fallen man. The rider wears a pointed cap, and in his upraised hand he holds a spear. His opponent lies on his back with his knees bent. He raises one hand to meet the spear pointed at this head. The lack of detail makes it difficult identify the figures in this scene. There is, however, a handful of seals showing Persian riders attacking opponents on foot (1); this seal is likely similar. NOTE 1. E.g., J. Boardman, Greek Gems and Finger Rings: Early Bronze Age to Late Classical (London, 1970) fig. 310, nos. 881, 974. Verification Level This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or 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
