A finely incised Mesopotamian grey limestone seal, dating back to the Sub-ovoid Neolithic era. The piece displays linear incisions, possibly representing a highly stylised antelope. The back of the stone is raised in the middle, creating a central mid-rib, possibly to allow a better grip. The seal was pierced horizontally for suspension. This seal comes with a professionally baked, modern impression. Some chips to the surface of the back of the seal as consistent with its age. Seals were often made of stone however there are also examples rendered in bone, ivory, faience, glass, metal, wood, and even sun-dried or baked clay. In the ancient world, seals guaranteed the authenticity of marked ownership – as such, they were instrumental in legal transactions, and in the protection of goods against theft. Seal amulets with stylised animals have been found throughout Mesopotamia in contexts dating to the late fourth millennium BC, although stamp seals and cylinder seals were the predominant types in the ancient Near East. Measurements: Circa L 1.9cm x W 1.7cm Provenance: From Ex. Cotswold collection 1980. A large part of the collection was sold by a Cirencester Auction in November 2018.