Chalcedony conoid seal
Unknown Artist
late 6th century BCE
Medium
Chalcedony
Dimensions
Length: 11/16 in. (1.7 cm)
Classification
Gems
Culture & Period
Greek · Archaic
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of John Taylor Johnston, 1881
Accession Number
81.6.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite chalcedony conoid seal crafted in late 6th-century BCE Greece during the Archaic period offers a glimpse into the daily life and artistry of ancient Mediterranean cultures. Measuring just 11/16 inch (1.7 cm) in length, this tiny gem—classified among engraved stones or "gems"—was meticulously carved from chalcedony, a durable microcrystalline quartz prized for its translucency and hardness. Its conoid (cone-like) shape allowed it to be worn as a pendant or rolled to imprint designs, serving as a personal seal for authenticating documents, goods, or ownership on soft clay or wax. ...