A rare early islamic carnelian seal intaglio. Horseman holding a tamga (?).

5th - 8th century A.D.

Diam 21 mm x 8 mm.

The horseman is facing left, on top of a horse, and holds a tamga (?) with his right and a spear with his left. Below, the ground and vegetation. In the field, a star. Through hole. Slight signs of wear. Parallel: Rahman, A.U. and Falk, H. Seals, Sealings and Tokens from Gandhara. Wiesbaden, 2011. p. 123, no. 09.04.09. Hunnish or early Islamic, For an earlier Sasanian horseman, cf. Gignous, P. Intailles sassanides de la collection Pirouzan. in: Acta Iranica; Hommages et opera Minora, vol. III Monumentum H.S. Nyberg. Leiden, 1975. p. 27 and pl. XIX, fig. 5.5.

Provenance: UK private collection D.C.

Estimate: GBP 1200 - 1500