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Ancient Sealings

Artifacts depicting ancient sealings from the Middle and New Kingdoms, showcasing intricate designs made of clay from various historical contexts.

Document Sealing with the Throne Name of Amenhotep III ca. 1390-1353 B.C. New Kingdom. Document Sealing with the Throne Name of Amenhotep III. ca. 1390-1353 B.C.. Mud. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Malqata, West Villas, West Villa B, MMA excavations, 1910-12. Dynasty 18
Document Sealing with the Throne Name of Amenhotep III ca. 1390-1353 B.C. New Kingdom. Document Sealing with the Throne Name of Amenhotep III. ca. 1390-1353 B.C.. Mud. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Malqata, West Villas, West Villa B, MMA excavations, 1910-12. Dynasty 18
148 assets in this story
Sealing ca. 2030-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing 565776Sealing ca. 2030-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing 565874Sealing ca. 1981-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing 560388Sealing ca. 1981-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing 557520Mold ca. 1550-1295 B.C. New Kingdom. Mold 558442Sealing fragment ca. 2030-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing fragment 572494Sealing ca. 2030-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing 546581Sealing ca. 7th century A.D. Sasanian. Sealing 323287Document Sealing with the Throne Name of Amenhotep III ca. 1390-1353 B.C. New Kingdom. Document Sealing with the Throne Name of Amenhotep III. ca. 1390-1353 B.C.. Mud. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Malqata, West Villas, West Villa B, MMA excavations, 1910-12. Dynasty 18Document Sealing With Multiple Seal Impressions ca. 1390-1353 B.C. New Kingdom. Document Sealing With Multiple Seal Impressions. ca. 1390-1353 B.C.. Mud. New Kingdom. Presumably from West Villas, West Villa B; From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Malqata, MMA excavations, 1910-12. Dynasty 18Sealing ca. 2030-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing 565884Pendant Mexico, Yucatan. Pendant. Mexico, Yucatan. Jadeite. JadeFigurine Fragment. UnknownSealing ca. 2030-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing. ca. 2030-1640 B.C.. Clay (unfired). Middle Kingdom. From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht South, Pyramid complex of Senwosret I, north temple gateway, MMA excavations, 1913-14. Dynasty 12-13Sealing ca. 1981-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing 560358Funerary Cone of the Sailor of Amun Nebansu ca. 1550-1295 B.C. New Kingdom This cone has the impression of a stamp seal inscribed for a man named Nebansu who was a sailor of the god Amun. For a drawing of this impression see http://www.funerarycones.com/, number 214.. Funerary Cone of the Sailor of Amun Nebansu Funerary Cone of the Sailor of Amun Nebansu ca. 1550-1295 B.C. New Kingdom This cone has the impression of a stamp seal inscribed for a man named Nebansu who was a sailor of the god Amun. For a drawing of this impression see http://www.funerarycones.com/, number 214.. Funerary Cone of the Sailor of Amun Nebansu. ca. 1550-1295 B.C.. Pottery. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes. Dynasty 18Female Head. UnknownUnattributed Trebizond Coin. UnknownSealing ca. 2030-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing 565804Document Sealing ca. 1390-1353 B.C. New Kingdom. Document Sealing. ca. 1390-1353 B.C.. Mud. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Malqata, West Villas, West Villa B, MMA excavations, 1910-12. Dynasty 18Sealing ca. 1981-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing 560398Sealing fragment ca. 2030-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing fragment 565848Relief fragment ca. 6th-8th century A.D. Sasanian or Islamic. Relief fragment 322694Sealing ca. 2030-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing. ca. 2030-1640 B.C.. Clay (unfired). Middle Kingdom. From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht South, Pyramid complex of Senwosret I, north temple gateway, MMA excavations, 1913-14. Dynasty 12-13Document Sealing With Multiple Seal Impressions ca. 1390-1353 B.C. New Kingdom. Document Sealing With Multiple Seal Impressions. ca. 1390-1353 B.C.. Mud. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Malqata, MMA excavations, 1910-12; Possibly from West Villas, West Villa B. Dynasty 18Funerary Cone of Amenemhab ca. 1550-1295 B.C. New Kingdom. Funerary Cone of Amenemhab. ca. 1550-1295 B.C.. Pottery. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes. Dynasty 18"Megarian" Bowl Fragment. UnknownDocument Sealing ca. 1390-1353 B.C. New Kingdom. Document Sealing. ca. 1390-1353 B.C.. Mud. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Malqata, King's Palace, West magazine, MMA excavations, 1910-12. Dynasty 18Sealing ca. 2030-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing 565356Sealing ca. 2030-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing 565895Sealing ca. 2030-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing 546562Female Head. UnknownUnattributed Trebizond Coin. UnknownFunerary Cone of the Wab-Priest Nebseny ca. 1550-1295 B.C. New Kingdom This cone has the impression of a stamp seal inscribed for a wab-priest named Nebseyn. For a drawing of this impression see http://www.funerarycones.com/, number 275.. Funerary Cone of the Wab-Priest Nebseny Funerary Cone of the Wab-Priest Nebseny ca. 1550-1295 B.C. New Kingdom This cone has the impression of a stamp seal inscribed for a wab-priest named Nebseyn. For a drawing of this impression see http://www.funerarycones.com/, number 275.. Funerary Cone of the Wab-Priest Nebseny. ca. 1550-1295 B.C.. Pottery. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes. Dynasty 18Coin 5th-14th century. Coin 457587Funerary Cone Naming a Butler of the God's Hand Amenirdis Daughter of Kashta ca. 740-700 B.C. Third Intermediate Period. Funerary Cone Naming a Butler of the God's Hand Amenirdis Daughter of Kashta. ca. 740-700 B.C.. Pottery. Third Intermediate Period. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Khokha, Tomb MMA 1, forecourt, MMA excavations, 1911. Dynasty 25 (Kushite)Document Sealing With the Throne Name of Amenhotep III ca. 1390-1353 B.C. New Kingdom. Document Sealing With the Throne Name of Amenhotep III. ca. 1390-1353 B.C.. Mud. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Malqata, West Villas, West Villa B, MMA excavations, 1910-12. Dynasty 18Coin probably 10th century. Coin 457588Female Head. UnknownBes amulet 664-332 B.C. Late Period. Bes amulet. 664-332 B.C.. Faience. Late Period. From Egypt. Dynasty 26-30Document Sealing With the Throne Name of Amenhotep III ca. 1390-1353 B.C. New Kingdom. Document Sealing With the Throne Name of Amenhotep III. ca. 1390-1353 B.C.. Mud. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Malqata, West Villas, West Villa B, MMA excavations, 1910-12. Dynasty 18Sealing ca. 7th century A.D. Sasanian. Sealing. Sasanian. ca. 7th century A.D.. Un-baked clay. Sasanian. Iran, Qasr-i Abu NasrFunerary Cone of Montuemhat ca. 724-525 B.C. Third Intermediate Period-Late Period. Funerary Cone of Montuemhat. ca. 724-525 B.C.. Pottery. Third Intermediate Period-Late Period. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Egypt Exploration Fund excavations. Dynasty 24-26Document Sealing ca. 1390-1353 B.C. New Kingdom. Document Sealing. ca. 1390-1353 B.C.. Mud. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Malqata, Middle Palace, MMA excavations, 1910-12. Dynasty 18Bliżej Kultury Mint of Kraków, Władysław Jagiełło (CA 1351 1434)Textile Fragment 7th-8th century. Textile Fragment 444025Document Sealing With the Throne Name of Amenhotep III ca. 1390-1353 B.C. New Kingdom. Document Sealing With the Throne Name of Amenhotep III. ca. 1390-1353 B.C.. Mud. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Malqata, West Villas, West Villa B, MMA excavations, 1910-12. Dynasty 18Loom-Weight. UnknownSealing ca. 2030-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing 565343Female Head. UnknownFunerary Cone ca. 1550-1295 B.C. New Kingdom. Funerary Cone. ca. 1550-1295 B.C.. Pottery. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes. Dynasty 18Coin dated A.H. 37/ A.D. 98. Coin 457223Sealing ca. 1981-1640 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Sealing 560495Coin 8th-9th century. Coin. 8th-9th century. Copper. Excavated in Iran, Nishapur. CoinsFemale Head. UnknownHead with Knidian Coiffure. UnknownDocument Sealing With the Throne Name of Amenhotep III ca. 1390-1353 B.C. New Kingdom. Document Sealing With the Throne Name of Amenhotep III. ca. 1390-1353 B.C.. Mud. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Malqata, King's Palace, West magazine, MMA excavations, 1910-12. Dynasty 18Molded Faience Plaque with Throne name of Amasis (Ahmose II). Egypt, Late Period, 26th Dynasty, reign of Amasis (569 - 526 BCE). Sculpture; plaques. FaienceHooded Female Head. UnknownUnattributed Trebizond Coin. UnknownUnattributed Trebizond Coin. UnknownCoffin dug in a tree from Weidenbruck in Westphalia, vintage engraved illustration. From the Universe and Humanity, 1910.Scarab seal ca. 1700-1560 B.C.. Scarab seal. ca. 1700-1560 B.C.. Steatite, bone colored. Dynasty 15-17, 2nd Intermediate Period, Hyksos. Levant, Lachish (modern Tell ed-Duweir)Coin A.H. 4/ A.D. 4. Coin. A.H. 4/ A.D. 4. Copper. Excavated in Iran, Nishapur. CoinsBase fragment with the cartouche of Nefertiti ca. 1353-1336 B.C. New Kingdom, Amarna Period. Base fragment with the cartouche of Nefertiti 567659Coin dated A.H. 145/ A.D. 762. Coin. dated A.H. 145/ A.D. 762. Copper. Excavated in Iran, Nishapur. CoinsFragment of a vase; Unknown Nubian workshop; VII-VIII century (601-00-00-900-00-00);Nubian ceramics, relief decoration, nubian collection, cross, nubian vessel, bird, terra sigillata, vaseHead with Melon Coiffure. UnknownFragment of a Ring Stone with Goddesses and Palm Trees 3rd-2nd century B.C. India. Fragment of a Ring Stone with Goddesses and Palm Trees 38080Coin dated A.H. 153/ A.D. 770. Coin. dated A.H. 153/ A.D. 770. Copper. Excavated in Iran, Nishapur. Mint Nishapur. CoinsPhallus Pendant. UnknownOval Base(). UnknownDocument Sealing With the Throne Name of Amenhotep III ca. 1390-1353 B.C. New Kingdom. Document Sealing With the Throne Name of Amenhotep III. ca. 1390-1353 B.C.. Mud. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Malqata, West Villas, West Villa B, MMA excavations, 1910-12. Dynasty 18Stone Tank A Aback Octagonal and Recycle Basket divided into eight panels Decor of Large Sheets of Chene, Unknown Provenance, XIII Century (Cat 190) Anonymous. Octagonal Abaque Stone Tank and Basket divided into eight panels decorated with large oak leaves, unknown provenance, 13th century (Cat 190). Pierre.Sealing with stamp seal impressions: radiating griffins; banquet scene ca. 18th century B.C. Old Assyrian Trading Colony Stamp seals first appeared in northern Mesopotamia during the 6th millennium B.C. and were used throughout the ancient Near East until the innovation of the cylinder seal in the second half of the 4th millennium B.C. Cylinder seals were the preferred administrative tool in Mesopotamia during the 3rd and 2nd millennia B.C.In Anatolia, stamp seals predominated, and it was only during the Old Assyrian Period (ca. 2000-1700 BCE) that Anatolians used cylinder seals in their administrative practices. Like cylinder seals, stamp seals could be made from a variety of local and exotic stones as well as metal and even clay. They were impressed directly upon tablets, vessels, and clay bullae used to seal storage containers and doors. Stamp seals exhibit either perforated backs or handles, sometimes with perforation, for ease in wearing and handling the objects. Stamps seals coulMagical Figure ca. 1802-1550 B.C. Late Middle Kingdom-Second Intermediate Period These tablets of unfired clay with attached crude faces were found as a group by the Museum's excavators at Lisht South in loose surface sand west of the mastaba of Senwosretankh, a high official and possibly the architect of the pyramid complex of Senwosret I (ca. 1961-1917 B. C.), east of which he erected his own very elaborate mastaba tomb (see acc. nos. 33.1.2 and other pieces). The mud figures and little coffin (acc. no. 33.1.66) that had contained some of them must have been buried, however, considerably later than the early twelfth dynasty tomb close to which they were found. In fact, during the thirteenth and following dynasties people deposited a number of objects in the by then sacred area around a legendary ruler's pyramid and its dependant monuments, believing conceivably that potent magical powers could thus be released. These flat mud figures, for instance, are inscribed in now much-faded redCylinder seal ca. 15th-12th century B.C. Cypriot. Cylinder seal 321436Unknown photographer, beam fragment in Baalbek (without dat.): View. Photo, 20.1 x 20.2 cm (including scan edges) unbek. Fotograf : Gebälkfragment in Baalbek (ohne Dat.)Coin 797. Coin 457549Coin probably 12th century. Coin 457618Document Sealing With the Throne Name of Amenhotep III ca. 1390-1353 B.C. New Kingdom. Document Sealing With the Throne Name of Amenhotep III. ca. 1390-1353 B.C.. Mud. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Malqata, West Villas, West Villa B, MMA excavations, 1910-12. Dynasty 18Axe blade ca. early 1st millennium B.C.. Axe blade 327453Water Spout in the Form of a Makara ca. 10th century Indonesia (Java). Water Spout in the Form of a Makara 38277Fibula ca. 8th-7th century B.C. Phrygian. Fibula 325243Bowl 12th-13th century This bowl exhibits a characteristic features of luster ware from Kashan, the reserving of figures on a luster ground. This feature is used to support the theory that Fatimid potters migrated to Iran as well as Syria after the fall of the Egyptian dynasty in 1171.. Bowl 451709Funerary Cone of the Servant of Amun Pawah ca. 1550-1295 B.C. New Kingdom This cone has the impression of a man named Pawah who was a servant of Amun.. Funerary Cone of the Servant of Amun Pawah. ca. 1550-1295 B.C.. pottery. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes. Dynasty 18Stamp ca. 1295-1070 B.C. New Kingdom, Ramesside. Stamp. ca. 1295-1070 B.C.. Limestone. New Kingdom, Ramesside. From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht North, Cemetery, MMA excavations, 1913-14. Dynasty 19-20Head with Melon Coiffure. UnknownMud jar sealing ca. 3200-2650 B.C. Predynastic, Late Naqada III-Early Dynastic Period. Mud jar sealing. ca. 3200-2650 B.C.. Clay, mud. Predynastic, Late Naqada III-Early Dynastic Period. From Egypt, Fayum Entrance Area, Tarkhan, Tomb 414, BSAE excavations 1911-1913Textile Fragment 6th century. Textile Fragment 443609Coin 758-68. Coin 457565Small Bell of Beehive Shape. 500 B.C.-A.D. 300 Thailand. Small Bell of Beehive Shape. 37729Coin 1197-1219. Coin 457398Bliżej Kultury Mint of Kraków, Władysław Warneńczyk (King of Poland, 1434 1444)Head with Melon Coiffure and Bow Knot. UnknownSherd ca. 3100-2500 B.C. Iran This sherd is made of grey burnished clay. It is typical of Namazga IV ceramics from Turkmenistan and Hissar II ceramics from Iran, and likely date to ca. 3100-2500 B.C. It was excavated in 1937 at a prehistoric site in the vicinity of Nishapur in northeastern Iran. While Nishapur itself was founded by the Sasanian king Shapur I (reigned ca. A.D. 241-272), this sherd shows that human habitation there goes back to the prehistoric period. Furthermore, the prehistoric pottery from Nishapur has close affinities with ceramic materials from Central Asia rather than with contemporary sites in Iran, meaning that in this period its inhabitants were likely culturally linked to their neighbors to the east. At the same time, Nishapurs location on what later became known as the Great Khorasan Road suggests that it was part of the trade network that facilitated the import of precious stones such as lapis lazuli, carnelian and turquoise from Central Asia to Mesopotamia.Sealing, from letter 22.3.518 from Heqanakht to Rahotep ca. 1961-1917 B.C. Middle Kingdom Discovered attached to a letter from Heqanakht to the Overseer of the Delta, Herunefer (see 22.3.518), this lump of mud is an example of a sealing. When a document was ready, it was folded or rolled and wrapped with a string. A small lump of mud was placed over the ends of the string and impressed with the incised underside of a seal, such as a scarab. This served to identify the owner or writer of the document.. Sealing, from letter 22.3.518 from Heqanakht to Rahotep. ca. 1961-1917 B.C.. Mud, fiber. Middle Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Bahri, Tomb of Hesem (TT 516), MMA excavations, 1922-23. Dynasty 12Ornament 1st millennium B.C. Iran. Ornament 327042Belt Plate. Culture: Frankish. Dimensions: Overall: 2 1/2 x 2 3/8 x 3/8 in. (6.3 x 6.1 x 0.9 cm). Date: 4th-7th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.Vase of the Hallstatt Culture (9th-5th c. BC.). Iron Age. Ceramics. SPAIN. CATALONIA. LLEIDA. Solsona. Diocesan and Regional Museum. Proc: SPAIN. CATALONIA. Solsons.