This ancient votive seal was discovered with a cache of similar artifacts along the shoresof Lake Van.Evokingthedawnof Westernculture,theseapparentlywereofferingsatheshrineofsomepowerfulgod.Thisunknowndeityappearstohavebeenassociatedwithfertilityandrebirth.Thedesign that adorns them—of birds, animals, cult idols—probably stoodinproxyformorecostlysacrifices.Pressedintosoftclayorwax,theywouldhavecreatedmultipleimagestowinthefavorofthegod.Carvedwithanabstractsimplicitybutanobservanteyetowardnature,hestarkvisualappealofthispieceistimeless.Thesesealsrepresentdreams,hopesandaspirationsforhealth,success,andhappinessthatareasoldascivilizationitself.-(D.01464)Engraved Votive Seal With An Intaglio D.01463Origin:Lake Van,Anatolia Circa:4000BCto3000BCDimensions:1.375(3.5cm)highx.75(1.9cm)wideollection:Near Eastern Style:Neolithic Medium: Dickite

Antiquities
Ancient Near East