On eBay Now...Canaanite Bronze Zoomorphic "Rooster/Eagle" Stamp Seal (Circa 1500–1200 BC) 21mm For Sale
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Canaanite Bronze Zoomorphic "Rooster/Eagle" Stamp Seal (Circa 1500–1200 BC) 21mm:
$304.85
Canaanite Bronze Zoomorphic "Rooster/Eagle" Stamp Seal (Circa 1500–1200 BC) 21mm AuthenticAuthenticity NoticeThis artifact is certified authentic and will be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance.
Details
Object: Zoomorphic Figural Stamp Seal
Culture: Canaanite (Late Bronze Age)
Date: Circa 1500–1200 BC
Material: Bronze (Copper-alloy)
Form: Three-dimensional avian figure with an integrated circular stamp base
Size: 21mm
Region: Levant / Holy Land
Identification of the Iconography: The Solar Cock / Mythical BirdThe 21mm bronze seal (11_2.jpg) represents a high-tier example of Late Bronze Age Levantine symbolic art.
The Figure: The handle is cast as a distinctive avian figure, likely a Rooster (Cock) or a stylized Eagle. The pronounced crest on the head and the upward-sweeping tail feathers are characteristic of early "solar birds" which signaled the dawn and symbolized vigilance.
Mythical Context: In the Canaanite pantheon, such birds were often messengers of the gods or symbols of the soaring power of the sun.
The Seal Face: The base features a deeply incised geometric or proto-alphabetic design. When pressed into wet clay (as seen in the modern impression), it provides a secure, authoritative mark.
The Loop: A small suspension point is integrated into the figure, allowing it to be worn as a pendant, keeping the owner's legal "signature" ready for immediate use.
Overview and Historical ContextFound in the Holy Land, this seal served a critical role in the administrative landscape of the ancient Levant. During the Late Bronze Age, merchants and officials utilized these figural seals to secure trade goods such as wine or precious oils. An avian seal of this quality would have belonged to a person of significant standing, possibly an overseer of trade or a temple official, as the rooster and eagle were potent symbols of authority and divine oversight.
Authenticity Check
Patina: The artifact displays a superb, stable "Desert" patina with a dark chocolate-brown and olive-green oxidation layer.
Casting: The figure exhibits the "soft" edges and structural integrity consistent with ancient lost-wax casting techniques, with no modern mold seams present.
Comparable Examples
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem: Significant holdings of Late Bronze Age zoomorphic and avian stamp seals.
The British Museum, London: Accession No. 102414 (Bronze figural stamp seals from the Levant).
The Met, New York: Accession No. 74.51.4313 (Ancient Near Eastern stamp seals in animal forms).
Further Reading
Keel, Othmar – Corpus der Stempelsiegel-Amulette aus Palästina/Israel: The primary reference for identifying stamp seal types in the Holy Land.
Ben-Tor, Amnon – The Archaeology of Ancient Israel: Regarding the administrative function of seals in Canaanite society.
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