The original cylinder seals were impression stamps, used by everyone from royalty to slaves, to authorize transactions, control the movement and storage of goods, as protective amulets or charms and as signs of personal identity or professional affiliation. A seal was a prized possession, and its loss was taken as seriously as losing a credit card or identity theft is taken today. They were worn by their owners, around the neck on a cord or pinned to an item of clothing and were typically between 7-10 cm (or 3-4 in) long.
Although inspired by ancient cylinder seals from Mesopotamia, the carvings on this modern-day seal are taken from the decorated margins around on the pages of medieval illuminated manuscripts (called marginalia) held at the Getty Museum. Granulated caps fit over each end of the seal.
Handmade in recycled 22k yellow gold, hand carved Ataléia rock crystal from Brazil and rubellite tourmaline (1.41ctw) from Mozambique. The chain is not included and is available separately. Length approximately 64mm W 10.8mm (L 2.5in W .4in).
One-of-a-kind.