One of twenty-one seals c. 800

Here is a seal, one of twenty-one, of unknown origin, crafted by an anonymous artist. Seals like these were pivotal in ancient societies, used to authenticate documents, mark property, and even as personal signatures. Consider how this small object embodies power, identity, and authority. What does it mean to hold such a symbol? Who was allowed to wield this kind of influence, and what social structures enabled their access? Each mark pressed by this seal carries the weight of governance, trade, and personal identity. Its impressions would have been instantly recognizable, communicating complex social relationships and hierarchies. This seal reminds us to reflect on how symbols of power manifest in our contemporary world.