c.6th century AD. A carved chalcedony 'ring' bearing an incuse image of the mythical Gay?mard, standing with legs and arms spread, holding a spear in each hand, wearing a mask with pointed ears, a rabbit running below; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. Cf. Bivar, A.D.H., Catalogue of Western Asiatic Seals: Stamp Seals: The Sassanian Dynasty, The British Museum, London, 1969, p.58, pl.6; cf. E. Gubel edn., A l'ombre de Babel: l'art du Proche-Orient Ancien dans les collections belges, Banque Bruxelles Lambert, 1995, p.127, no.250, for a stamp seal with identical figure; cf. Volk, J.G., Habib Anavian Collection: Ancient Near Eastern Cylinder and Stamp Seals from the Early 6th Millennium BC to 651 AD, New York, 1979, nos.304-305. 23.5 grams, 30mm (1 1/4"). From the Empire collection, an important UK private collection of seals, acquired from Christie’s, London, 21 April 1999, lot 11 (£3,000-£4,000); accompanied by a copy of a typed and signed scholarly note, by the late Adrian Hugh David Bivar, Professor of Iranian Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and by copies of the relevant Christie’s catalogue pages. The talismanic 'Gay?mard' figure represents the constellation of Orion and his companion is Canis Major. Condition Report Very fine condition.