Sasanian Seals

s a s a n i a n  s e a l s

r e f e r e n c e s

Human Subjects

Male portraits
Early group

Bust trimmed with wings

11 x 20 x 17 mm.
4.40 gm.
Diameter of hole=8 mm.
Note: Courtesy private collection.

24 x 25 x 20 mm.
17.95 gm.
Diameter of hole=3 mm.
Note: Modern concoction. Courtesy private collection.

Conventionalized bust

Bust trimmed with leaves

18 x 23 x 19 mm.
9.31 gm.
Diameter of hole=7 mm.
Note:

Female portraits

Multiple portraits

Male figures

Various

22 x 33 x 28 mm.
26.36 gm.
Diameter of hole=7 x 12 mm. (roughly cut)
Note: Male figure standing left, holding plant; arch above. Courtesy private collection.

'Magus'

11 x 17 x 14 mm.
3.41 gm.
Diameter of hole=4 mm.
Note: Courtesy private collection.

Residual group

'Gayomard'

26 x 29 x 22 mm.
24.37 gm.
Diameter of hole=3 mm.
Note: Courtesy private collection.

Two figures of 'Gayomard'
'Hero' and demon
'Victory'
Rider

Female figures

Female figure standing

12 x 15 x 12 mm.
4.88 gm.
Diameter of hole=2 mm.
Note: Courtesy private collection.

Female figure seated

Human figures in groups

26 x 25 x 21 mm.
20.44 gm.
Diameter of hole=none
Note: Modern concoction. 'Gayomard' or some sort of 'Goat Man' with goat to either side; pseudo-Pahlavi legend. Courtesy private collection.

Human hand

7 x 14 x 12 mm.
2.19 gm.
Diameter of hole=3 mm.
Note: Courtesy private collection.

Quadrupeds

Lions

Lion seated or couchant

14 x 14 x 13 mm.
6.19 gm.
Diameter of hole=2 mm.
Note: Courtesy private collection.

Lion standing or walking
Two lions
Winged lion
Lion and scorpion
Lion and bull
Lion and stag
Lion and snake
Composite lion-creature

Fox
Wolf
Elephant
Horse
Pegasus
Griffin

Sphynx and Human-headed bull
Sphynx

Human-headed bull

14 x 14 x 10 mm.
3.23 gm.
Diameter of hole=2 mm.
Note: Courtesy private collection.

Dog

Camel

25 x 25 x 23 mm.
18.99 gm.
Diameter of hole=2 mm.
Note: Courtesy private collection.

Bull
Bull standing
Bull sitting

Ram
Ram standing
Ram sitting

Ram's head

17 x 19 x 16 mm.
5.86 gm.
Diameter of hole=4 mm.
Note: Courtesy private collection.

Two rams, or ram with goat

Stag
Stag sitting and looking back
Stag sitting and looking to front
Stag standing or walking
Stag's head trimmed with wings
Two stags

Ibex, goat or gazelle
Ibex and goat
Gazelle
Two gazelles or ibexes

Bear
Monkey

Boar
Boar's head

Hare

Rats

17 x 17 x 13 mm.
3.48 gm.
Diameter of hole=3 mm.
Note: Courtesy private collection.

Nondescript quadrupeds

Birds: Pheasant
Peacock
Partridge
Crane
Walking bird or 'sparrow'
Birds, miscellaneous
Bird, flapping wings
Two birds; Birds and prey; 16 x 28 x 24 mm.
15.27 gm.
Diameter of hole=8 mm.
Note: Courtesy private collection.

Other Creatures: Fish; Scorpion; 11 x 18 x 15 mm.
4.30 gm.
Diameter of hole=3 mm.
Note: Courtesy private collection.

Two scorpions; Locust

Plants

Fire Altars

'Whirligigs': Whorl of animal heads; 13 x 14 x 10 mm.
4.50 gm.
Diameter of hole=3 mm.
Note: Two lions, two horses. Courtesy private collection.

Animals joined by common head
Animal heads joined by common body

Grylli and Composite Creatures

Devices

Crosses
Star and crescent
'Device' with circle as upper component

'Device' with crescent as upper component, and curved or linear element below

mm.
gm.
Diameter of hole= mm.
Note: Courtesy Robert W. Schaaf collection.

14 x 14 x 11 mm.
3.41 gm.
Diameter of hole=2 mm.
Note: Courtesy private collection.

8 x 10 x 8 mm.
1.09 gm.
Diameter of hole=2 mm.
Note: Courtesy private collection.

23 x 24 x 11 mm.
2.91 gm.
Diameter of hole=2 mm.
Note: Courtesy private collection.

'Device' with crescent above triangle
'Device' with crescent above diamond
'Device' with crescent above two triangles
'Device' with crescent above heart
'Device' with crescent above asymmetrical element
'Device' with crescent above inverted letter 'pi', and:
Linear element below
Circle below
Star below
Upturned Pahlavi daleth below
Chevron below
Letter 'pi' below
Heart below
'Device' with crescent above chevron

Inscriptions

b a c k t o s a s a n i a n e m p i r e