A rare South Arabian Banded Agate Stamp Seal with Inscription, Sabaean Culture, South Arabia (modern Yemen), ca. 2nd–3rd century CE Royal showing clear signs of use

showing clear signs of use

CanberraMuseum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

Fourth Edition London: Thames and Hudson (2006)

Provenance:  Private New Jersey collection

is a superlative illustration of the workings of artistic ingenuity within traditional Sinú formats

A rare South Arabian Banded Agate Stamp Seal with Inscription, Sabaean Culture, South Arabia (modern Yemen), ca. 2nd–3rd century CE Royal showing clear signs of useA finely cut circular stamp seal carved from a warm orange banded agate, selected for its striking natural eye motif. The warm amber center, framed by a soft pale halo and darker outer band, not only gives the piece added presence, but no doubt enhanced its role as a personal object. In antiquity, stones with this kind of eye like pattern were often valued for more than their appearance. Across the ancient Near East, the eye was considered a