ITEM: Stamp seal
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Bronze Age
PERIOD: 3rd - 2nd millenium B.C
DIMENSIONS: 17 mm x 61 mm diameter
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex French private collection, acquired between 1970 - 1990

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Bronze Age stamp seals are significant artifacts that offer insights into the administrative, economic, and cultural practices of ancient civilizations during the Bronze Age, roughly spanning from 3300 to 1200 BCE. These seals, typically made from materials such as bronze, stone, or clay, were used to imprint distinctive designs or inscriptions onto various surfaces, including clay tablets, fabrics, and documents. The primary function of these stamps was to authenticate and mark ownership or authority, serving as a form of signature for individuals or institutions. The designs on the seals often included symbols, motifs, or insignias that identified the owner or the issuing authority, playing a crucial role in trade and record-keeping.

The design and craftsmanship of Bronze Age stamp seals varied widely across different regions and cultures. In Mesopotamia, for example, seal impressions often depicted intricate scenes of mythological or religious significance, while in the Indus Valley Civilization, seals featured more abstract motifs and animal figures. The artistry involved in creating these seals demonstrates the advanced metalworking and engraving skills of the time. The use of such seals facilitated the development of complex administrative systems and long-distance trade networks, as they provided a means of verifying and recording transactions and agreements in a pre-literate society.

The archaeological discovery of Bronze Age stamp seals has provided valuable information about the social and economic structures of ancient societies. They offer clues about trade practices, as well as the distribution of goods and resources. Additionally, seal impressions found on clay tablets or packaging often include inscriptions or logos that help historians understand the administrative practices and bureaucratic functions of ancient civilizations