A fine ancient Greek terracotta papyrus sealing featuring a male figure, likely a god or a satyr. The figure is depicted bearded and nude and seated on a tree stump, steading himself on his right hand. Atop his head he wears a rounded cap adorned with protruding features. His left arm is outstretched, holding a horned animal, possibly a goat or deer. The edges of the sealing are rough and irregular, and feature some minor wear. The reverse is slightly uneven where the clay was attached to the papyrus. The weathered exterior features some cracking, revealing the red clay beneath. Small, round sealings, with this particular piece being a larger example, were common throughout ancient Greece and Rome as marks of authentication and ownership. They were most often used on papyrus scrolls, where a soft piece of clay would be impressed with the owner’s signet ring or seal, transferring a unique image to the sealing of the scroll. The subjects varied across deities and mythological scenes, to flora and fauna, to portraits including those of Emperors. The seals also served as a prevention against the theft, plagiarism and doctoring of documents. Despite their regularity in antiquity, relatively few sealings survive today. As the clay was never fired in order to keep the document accessible, most disintegrated over time. Many of the surviving examples come from libraries and collections which, intentionally or not, were burnt to the ground, destroying the papyrus scrolls but preserving the seal in the process. Measurements: L 2.3cm x H 2.7cm x W 0.3cm Provenance: Ex. collection of papyrus sealings, 1990s. N.B. Delivery may be longer due to the busier period and we do not guarantee delivery before Christmas. Items paid for after the 19th December will be shipped after the New Year (week commencing on the 5th January 2026). **There will be an additional fee incurred for returned shipments due to buyer’s non-response to customs enquiries and/or unsuccessful delivery attempts.**