Old Near Eastern Jasper Cylinder Seal - Height: 49.74 mm - Width: 20.21 mm- 39.4 g

Cylinder seals have an ancient history, particularly prominent in the Near East, where they were used since the 4th millennium BCE for administrative and decorative purposes. Typically crafted from hard materials such as jasper, these small cylindrical objects, when rolled over clay, leave an impression serving as a signature or identifying mark. Jasper, a microcrystalline variety of quartz, is prized for its durability and rich colors, which often feature earthy reds, browns, and yellows formed by iron inclusions. This Old Near Eastern jasper cylinder seal, with substantial size and weight, suggests it was a significant personal or official item. Beyond its practical use, such seals are valued by collectors for their artistic engravings and cultural insights into ancient civilizations' communication and record-keeping methods.