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DOUBLE CUT SEAL

Creator(s): Unknown

On view in: Icon Room


About this object

The shape of the seal is that of an elongated urn with channelling on the sides. The top is flat and cut with an image of an Orthodox church dome with an arm reaching across it or a bar covering it. Around the edges is a cryptic inscription and the dates 1917-1918. The seal curves outwards to meet the top of the center of the seal which is faceted. The pedestal foot is smooth and connects with the round base which is also cut. On the foot is a generalized image of a (male?) with flames for hair and what appears to be a flame or third eye in the center of his forehead. Around the edge of the image is inscribed an equally cryptic rhyming aphorism with the date 1918.

Object name:
DOUBLE CUT SEAL
Made from:
Lapis lazuli (?)
Made in:
Russia
Date made:
1917-1918
Size:
7 × 3.8 × 3.5 cm (2 3/4 × 1 1/2 × 1 3/8 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
21.69
Class:
HARDSTONE
Signature marks:
INSCRIPTION; DATE Не заслонишь масхи 1917-1918 Inscribed on top of seal above image of Orthodox church dome with arm or bar across it. Transliteration: "Ne zaslonish' maskhi 1917-1918" INSCRIPTION; DATE ТЕЛОЮ ЗАСЫПАЮ РОЖДАЮСЬ УМИРАЮ 1918 Inscribed on base of seal around face with flame or third eye on forehead. Transliteration: "Teloiu zasypaiu / Rozhdaius' umiraiu" Possible translation: I cover/bury/scatter my body, in birth I am dying"
Credit line:
Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973