A finely rendered Sasanian stamp seal formed from carnelian with natural white striations. The seal is circular in shape with a facetted domed back. The flat face of the seal has been carved with the depiction of a recumbent animal, perhaps a deer. The animal is depicted in a naturalistic manner with legs and hooves folded neatly beneath the body and a short tail at the rear. A mane and ears have been carefully incised, along with a large round eye. Additional decorative markings feature before the front of the animal, perhaps representing foliage. A star features in the field above. The seal is perforated horizontally for suspension and features cracks across its body. Seals were often made of stone however there are also examples rendered in bone, ivory, faience, glass, metal, wood, and even sun-dried or baked clay. In the ancient world, seals guaranteed the authenticity of marked ownership – as such, they were instrumental in legal transactions, and in the protection of goods against theft. Seal amulets with stylised animals have been found throughout Mesopotamia in contexts dating to the late fourth millennium BC, although stamp seals and cylinder seals were the predominant types in the ancient Near East. Measurements: W 1.4cm x H 1.1cm Provenance: Ex major SM., London, Collection 1970-2010.