Sasanian Amulet seal (No reserve price)
09
days
21
hours
26
minutes
36
seconds
Current bid
€ 3
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 210 - € 250
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Sasanian domed hematite amulet seal, a 5th–6th century AD stamp seal pierced for suspension and engraved with five seals featuring running animals and floral motifs, in very good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Sasanian domed hematite stamp seal, pierced for suspension and engraved with multiple cut seals (5) with running animals and flower motifs. The dark polished stone is carefully shaped, with the engraved decoration giving the piece both ornamental and functional character.
-> Sasanian stamp seals were important personal objects used to mark ownership, authenticate documents, and signify identity. Many were also worn on the body, combining practical use with status and symbolic meaning.
Condition: Very good solid condition with age-related wear, minor surface irregularities, and light abrasions. The perforation remains open and the engraved motifs are clearly visible overall.
Size: ± 22,8 x 17,7 x 12,9 mm
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Seals played a central role in Sasanian administrative and personal life. They were used to impress clay, wax, or other soft materials, serving as marks of authority, ownership, and authenticity. At the same time, they could function as personal ornaments, suspended from cords or mounted in jewellery, which explains the careful shaping and decorative finish seen on many examples.
Sasanian glyptic art is well known for its refined workmanship and its rich repertoire of motifs, including royal imagery, animals, busts, fire altars, and floral or symbolic designs. Hardstones such as hematite were especially valued because they could take a fine polish and hold crisp engraved detail. Objects such as this reflect the sophisticated visual culture of the Sasanian Empire, where practical objects were often endowed with elegance, symbolism, and personal significance.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Sasanian domed hematite stamp seal, pierced for suspension and engraved with multiple cut seals (5) with running animals and flower motifs. The dark polished stone is carefully shaped, with the engraved decoration giving the piece both ornamental and functional character.
-> Sasanian stamp seals were important personal objects used to mark ownership, authenticate documents, and signify identity. Many were also worn on the body, combining practical use with status and symbolic meaning.
Condition: Very good solid condition with age-related wear, minor surface irregularities, and light abrasions. The perforation remains open and the engraved motifs are clearly visible overall.
Size: ± 22,8 x 17,7 x 12,9 mm
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Seals played a central role in Sasanian administrative and personal life. They were used to impress clay, wax, or other soft materials, serving as marks of authority, ownership, and authenticity. At the same time, they could function as personal ornaments, suspended from cords or mounted in jewellery, which explains the careful shaping and decorative finish seen on many examples.
Sasanian glyptic art is well known for its refined workmanship and its rich repertoire of motifs, including royal imagery, animals, busts, fire altars, and floral or symbolic designs. Hardstones such as hematite were especially valued because they could take a fine polish and hold crisp engraved detail. Objects such as this reflect the sophisticated visual culture of the Sasanian Empire, where practical objects were often endowed with elegance, symbolism, and personal significance.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Sasanian
Century/timeframe
5th-6th century AD
Name of object
Amulet seal
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2026
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
