Post medieval Bronze Stamp Seal pendants with inscribed script (5) (No reserve price)

Post-Medieval Bronze Stamp Seal Pendants with Inscribed Script – Set of Five
Culture / Period: Post-Medieval, Islamic Cultural Tradition
Date / Period: Post-Medieval, exact dating uncertain
Material: Bronze / Copper Alloy
Dimensions: 24-27 mm
Condition: Good archaeological condition. The five seals display varying degrees of surface wear, oxidation and brown-green patination. The engraved sealing faces and openwork handles are preserved, with some loss of detail due to age and corrosion.

No shipping outside the European Union. Due to complex export regulations concerning cultural goods, this item cannot be shipped outside the EU. Please ensure you have a delivery address within the European Union before placing a bid.

Provenance information:
Object Registration ID: 1002
The current owner (S.N.J. S.) purchased the set of stamp seal pendants with inscribed script from B.N. in Schiedam, the Netherlands.
The previous owner, B.N. from Schiedam, stated that the objects had been in his collection, although the date of acquisition was not provided.
According to the previous owner, the objects had previously formed part of a private collection in the Netherlands. The date on which they entered that collection is unknown.
No further information concerning the earlier ownership history of the objects was available from the previous owner.

Background Information:
This group consists of five bronze stamp seals attributed to the post-medieval period and an Islamic cultural tradition. Each seal features a circular engraved face with stylised script, possibly Arabic or Persian, and an upright openwork handle. The handles incorporate geometric arrangements of circular and oval openings, allowing the seals to be held securely and potentially suspended from a cord.
Stamp seals played an important role in administration, commerce and personal identification throughout the Islamic world. They were used to authenticate correspondence, documents, commercial agreements and other transactions. The engraved inscriptions commonly contained personal names, titles, religious expressions or identifying formulas, although the precise inscriptions on these examples have not been deciphered.

The use of personal seals was particularly widespread in regions connected by Islamic commercial and administrative traditions, including the Middle East, Central Asia and parts of South Asia. Their designs varied considerably according to local craftsmanship, period and the social position of the owner. The geographical origin of these particular examples remains unknown.

Bronze and other copper-alloy seals were produced by specialised metalworkers using established casting and engraving techniques. Their durable construction made them suitable for repeated use, while the individually engraved inscriptions provided a means of identifying their owners. The decorative openwork handles also demonstrate the combination of practical function and ornamental craftsmanship.

These five stamp seals provide a tangible connection to the administrative and commercial life of the post-medieval Islamic world, where personal seals served as important instruments of identification, authentication and everyday communication.