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MM 1975:002 :: seal

Object description: Indus Valley square stamp seal with boss handle ridged over the top bore through lower part of handle. Bull-like animal with one horn faces right, it has a ‘ladder-like’ collar around neck with fine lines (? folds of skin) around neck and upper shoulder; the creature is described by Shah) Parpola 1991, p. XXX as ‘unicorn’ and the various type have been classified from ‘I-V’. A rectangular (?) flag or standard on a stand is placed beneath the animal’s head and one line of Indus Valley script above. Helen Merrillees catalogue 1995.

Data elements
References (1)

Inventory number

MM 1975:002

Serie nummer

1242

Object

seal

Country - Findspot

Pakistan : Asia

Country, Swedish - Findspot

Pakistan

Place - Findspot

Mohenjo-daro

Region - Findspot

Indus Valley

Material

Stone. Opaque whitish steatite

Acquisition

Acquired from a person from Pakistan

Description

Indus Valley square stamp seal with boss handle ridged over the top bore through lower part of handle. Bull-like animal with one horn faces right, it has a ‘ladder-like’ collar around neck with fine lines (? folds of skin) around neck and upper shoulder; the creature is described by Shah) Parpola 1991, p. XXX as ‘unicorn’ and the various type have been classified from ‘I-V’. A rectangular (?) flag or standard on a stand is placed beneath the animal’s head and one line of Indus Valley script above. Helen Merrillees catalogue 1995.

Time - Manufacturing, earliest

C. 2400 BC (check)

Published text

Two green steatite stamp-seals from Mohenjo-daro. Both of them are rather worn. The smaller one [1975:002] has a pierced knob on its back. The larger piece[1975:003] has a groove on the same place. Probably something had been attached to it. The smaller seal is evidently of a cruder execution, compared to the other with its carving of high craftmanship. On each seal is a representation of a unicorn, one of the fabulous creatures venerated at the site. In front of the animal is a kind of receptacle or, possibly, an altar. The cultic character of the object seems, however, sure because of its appearance only on seals. The scene is surmounted by a quaint script, which occurs on most of these types of seals and still remains undeciphered. The site of Mohenjo-daro was one of the most important sites of the pre-historic Indus Valley civilisation, which approximately correspond to West Pakistan of today. This cultural phase endured between 2500-1500 ca B.C. Characteristic of the arts and crafts of this period are the excellent carvings on steatite seals. The figures represented on them are e.g. demigods, animals and human beings, all objects of veneration. MM 1975:4 [should be 1975:2!]. 3x3 cm. Thickness: 0.9 cm. MM 1975:3 2.1 x 2.1 cm. Thickness: 0.6 cm. (Winbladh 1978:81)

Comments

(see Shah/Parpola 1991, p. XXXII for discussion of material of Indus Valley seals).

-four impressions

Cf Publications

Shah/Parpola 1991, PI. 1 M. 595 for the shape of these seals, PI. 30 nos. M-662-664.

Length / Längd

2,1 cm

Height / Höjd

0,6 cm [at edge]

Width / Bredd

2,1 cm

Dimensions

21 x 21 mm, H. at edge 6.5 mm, H. to top of boss handle 11.5 mm, bores 3 & 4 mm.

Condition

The whitish colour has become a dirty brown and there is some chipping at the upper corner and edges with faint diagonal scratch marks over surface of engraved base.

Original register

WestAsia

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MM 1975:002 :: seal

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