BACTRIAN BUFF STONE CYLINDER SEAL

Ca. 2nd millennium BC
A buff stone cylinder seal features a captivating depiction of a bowman in action, shown aiming and shooting at a wild animal, possibly a lion. The skilled craftsmanship is evident in the intricate details of the seal, particularly in the portrayal of the bowman and the dynamic movement captured in the scene. The bowman's stance and focus convey a sense of precision and skill, highlighting the artistry and expertise of the ancient Bactrian culture. It would have served as a personal or official stamp, providing authentication and authority to documents or objects. By impressing the seal onto clay or other surfaces, individuals would leave behind a distinctive mark, signifying their ownership or approval. Studied by PD Dr. habil. Pieter Gert van der Veen, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz.
Size: L:35.3mm / W:18.6mm ; 20.53g
Provenance: Private London collection of an Ancient Art dealer; formerly in a central London family collections 1990s; Suggested to be examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Estimate: GBP 400 - 600