ITEM: Seal MATERIAL: Faience CULTURE: Bronze Age PERIOD: 2nd - 1st millenium B.C DIMENSIONS: 10 mm x 17 mm CONDITION: Good condition PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, acquired before 1990s In the ancient Near East and Mediterranean, serpentine seals served as both administrative tools and personal talismans, carved from a relatively soft, dark magnesium silicate that allowed for intricate detailing. The depiction of two figures flanking a central palm tree is a recurring motif, often interpreted as a "Sacred Tree" or "Tree of Life" scene. This symmetrical composition typically represents a ritual of fertility or a divine blessing, where the figures—be they deities, priests, or worshippers—reach toward the fronds or fruit of the tree. The choice of serpentine, with its typically waxy luster and deep greens or blacks, provided a durable surface that could withstand the pressure of being rolled or pressed into wet clay. Technically, these seals were masterpieces of miniature relief, usually carved in a cylinder or stamp format. The artisan would use copper drills and abrasives to etch the figures' anatomy and the textured trunk of the palm tree into the stone. On a cylinder seal, this scene would create a continuous frieze when rolled across a clay tablet or jar stopper, serving as a unique "signature" for trade and record-keeping. The palm tree itself was a vital economic resource in the Bronze Age, providing shade, timber, and dates, which made its inclusion in glyptic art a potent symbol of prosperity and the ordered natural world. Beyond their functional role in bureaucracy, these seals functioned as protective amulets worn on a string or pinned to a garment. The specific imagery of figures guarding or tending to a palm tree likely invoked the protection of a specific deity associated with agriculture or creation. As these objects were traded along the Silk Road and maritime routes, the "two figures and a tree" motif evolved, absorbing local stylistic nuances while maintaining its core message of balance and life-giving power. Today, these small serpentine artifacts offer a tactile connection to the spiritual and commercial lives of individuals who lived over three millennia ago. Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license. If you bid outside the European union and win the item, we will have to apply for an export licence for your country and shipping will take 3 to 5 weeks.