Sassanian Hematite Intaglio Ring Depicting a Scorpion, 200 CE - 600 CE
Hematite, Gold
FJ.6075
This Ancient Sassanian hematite seal has been mounted in a modern 18 karat gold ring. The Sassanids were kings of Iran from 224 - 651 A.D. At its greatest extent,...
This Ancient Sassanian hematite seal has been mounted in a modern 18 karat gold ring.
The Sassanids were kings of Iran from 224 - 651 A.D. At its greatest extent, their empire stretched from Syria to India, and from Iberia to the Persian Gulf. Major campaigns were launched against them by the Romans, including the emperor Valerian who was defeated and captures (A.D. 260) by Sapor I. A characteristic of Sassanid ideology was the development of the idea of "Iran” with its own political and cultural identity. Their empire came to an end when the Arabs conquered Mesopotamia and Iran.
Zoroastrianism was the most important religion and this unusual intaglio may have a relationship to that faith. The scorpion has been a potent symbol for centuries in many cultures. Though great empires disintegrate in time, collapsing into dust, this handsome intaglio has survived to grace the hand of someone with the taste and refinement to wear something so distinctive.
The Sassanids were kings of Iran from 224 - 651 A.D. At its greatest extent, their empire stretched from Syria to India, and from Iberia to the Persian Gulf. Major campaigns were launched against them by the Romans, including the emperor Valerian who was defeated and captures (A.D. 260) by Sapor I. A characteristic of Sassanid ideology was the development of the idea of "Iran” with its own political and cultural identity. Their empire came to an end when the Arabs conquered Mesopotamia and Iran.
Zoroastrianism was the most important religion and this unusual intaglio may have a relationship to that faith. The scorpion has been a potent symbol for centuries in many cultures. Though great empires disintegrate in time, collapsing into dust, this handsome intaglio has survived to grace the hand of someone with the taste and refinement to wear something so distinctive.