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Ancient Near Eastern Lead Stamp Seal Bull And Predator Animal Scene
Authenticity Notice
Guaranteed authentic ancient artifact. Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Affordable Ancients.
Details
Period: Ancient Near East
Date: c. 1200–600 BC
Material: Lead (PB)
Type: Stamp seal
Size: 19 mm
Condition: Intact with heavy ancient wear
Overview
Authentic ancient Near Eastern lead stamp seal engraved with a bull confronted by a second animal, likely a lion or predator figure, arranged in a compact circular composition. Animal combat scenes are a long-standing motif in Near Eastern iconography, symbolizing strength, dominance, fertility, and cosmic balance.
Lead seals of this type were used for marking ownership, sealing containers or documents, or serving as personal identifiers. The bull held strong symbolic significance across Near Eastern cultures, associated with power, protection, and divine authority, while the opposing animal represents chaos or adversarial force.
Authenticity Check
Cast lead fabric, soft metal deformation, surface oxidation, earthen accretions, and worn intaglio engraving are consistent with genuine ancient lead stamp seals. Iconography, material behavior, and corrosion profile do not match modern reproductions.
Comparable Examples
Comparable lead stamp seals with animal combat imagery are documented from Levantine and Mesopotamian contexts and published in Near Eastern glyptic and sealing corpora.
Further Reading
Collon, First Impressions: Cylinder Seals in the Ancient Near East
Porada, Ancient Near Eastern Seals
Condition
Good ancient condition. Engraved scene remains visible despite heavy use. Stable surface with no modern alterations.
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