In the ancient world, seals guaranteed the authenticity of marked ownership – as such, they were instrumental in legal transactions, and in the protection of goods against theft. Seals were often made of stone however there are also examples rendered in bone, ivory, faience, glass, metal, wood, and even sun-dried or baked clay. Seal amulets with stylised animals have been found throughout Mesopotamia in contexts dating to the late fourth millennium BC, although stamp seals and cylinder seals were the predominant types in the ancient Near East.
Lions were a key symbol of protecting the empire from chaos through the king eradicating threats to the civilisation. Lions themselves posed a threat to agriculture, livestock, and the lives of humans, therefore gaining notoriety for bringing chaos and disorder from beyond the monarchy’s realm. The act of hunting lions was reserved for the king, strong enough to combat the threat they posed. In this example, the lions and pomegranates, a fruit with an abundance of seeds which is linked to fertility, growth, and prosperity, are paired together. This could be symbolic for the roles both men and woman had within society, this being crucial towards the success of daily life. The starburst at the centre being a symbol of the empire’s success and strength, but also the spread of ideologies and system.
For more about stamp seals, see our relevant blog post: Making their Mark: A Concise Guide to Western Asiatic Stamp Seals
