One of twenty-one seals c. 800

This white, oval-shaped seal, dated to c. 800, is one of twenty-one found in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The seal is made of agate and is inscribed with an intricate design that is barely visible, but hints at a larger narrative. This piece demonstrates the use of seals in the ancient world, where they were used to authenticate documents, seal containers, or mark property. The subtle markings on this seal would have been pressed into soft materials such as clay or wax.