Sasanian Carnelian Stamp Seal with a Horned Quadruped (No reserve price)

The Sasanian carnelian stamp seal featuring a horned quadruped is a notable artifact from the Sasanian Empire, which ruled Persia from 224 to 651 AD. Carnelian, a reddish-orange semi-precious chalcedony, was widely used for carved seal stones due to its hardness and rich color. Stamp seals were essential for administration and authentication in ancient bureaucracies, used to impress images or inscriptions into wax or clay as signatures or ownership marks. The depiction of a horned quadruped could symbolize power, protection, or religious significance, characteristic of Sasanian artistic motifs which often merged iconography from Persian mythology and royal symbolism. Such seals offer a glimpse into the administrative sophistication, artistry, and symbolic storytelling of the era.