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Gold seal ring, with carnelian scarab mounted on a swivel. Thin wire runs through a hole drilled through the scarab, then passes through perforations in the ends of the hoop wire and wraps six times around the hoop wire on each side. The scarab is explicitly modelled, including the head of the beetle and several ridges on the sides to represent its legs. The flat oval underside surface is carved in intaglio, with a long-legged bull walking right on a ground line, its tail held in a high loop. Diameter 2.1 cm, length of scarab 1.6 cm, width 1.25 cm, height 1 cm.


Late Lydian (Persian)
Gold
Istanbul, Archaeological Museum, 4520

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