A Bactrian biconvex amuletic seal made from red hardstone featuring an engraved decoration of zoomorphic figures on both sides. On one side, there is a quadruped with its thin legs folded, with its body in profile pointing to the left. The animal has long horns and a small tail. There are foliage decorations of figural short lines in the background. On the reverse another horned quadruped likely a bull. Both figures have been depicted in a highly stylistic manner, with short linear incisions detailing their fur. The amulet is perforated horizontally for suspension. There are minor encrustations and signs of wear, such as slight scratches to the surface. Seals in antiquity were often made of stone, however there are also examples rendered in bone, ivory, faience, glass, metal, wood, and occasionally 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 or fantasised zoomorphic figural have been found throughout Mesopotamia in contexts dating to the late fourth millennium BC, though stamp seals and cylinder seals are predominant types in the ancient Near East. Measurements: L 2.2cm x W 1.8cm Provenance: Ex SM collection London, acquired 1970s-2000s.