A fine Achaemenid cylinder seal carved from a beige hardstone, featuring a hunt scene. Carefully engraved across the surface, an anthropomorphic figure riding a horse raises or throws a spear at a rampant zoomorphic figure, likely a rearing lion. The rider wears a robe that billows out behind him, leggings with a chevron pattern, and a headdress. HIs horse, depicted in motion, with its legs outstretched as if leaping, is covered with a saddle-rug, decorated with a linear border. Before the horse, a lean hunting dog, with its forelegs raised and its back legs pushing off from the ground, launching itself in the air, chases after the prey. The prey, the rampant lion, stands on its hind legs, facing left. Its forelegs are outstretched as if in defence, with a long curling tail extending behind in. Above, between the back of the feline and the back of the horse, a small crescent, possibly a representation of the moon, further enriches the stamp seal. Rendered stylistically, the details of the scene, such as the eyes of the figures, the anatomy of the zoomorphic figures, and the patterns of the garments, are still clearly visible. The seal has been perforated longitudinally for suspension. Encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age, such as chipping, scratches, and pitting. Please note that the impression is for reference only. 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 with stylised animals or fantasised zoomorphic figural have been found throughout Mesopotamia and dating to the late fourth millennium BC. Measurements: (circa) W 1.2cm x H 3cm Provenance: Ex. R.B. collection, Cotswold, UK, 1980s.