RARE 200BC Antiquity Artifact Second Temple Judaea Biblical Bronze Seal Ring For Sale

• Paleo-Hebrew Script Transcription (𐤀 / 𐤔 / 𐤉 / 𐤄): The central bezel contains a deeply incised diamond matrix holding primary Paleo-Hebrew / West Semitic letter forms:

  • Central Axis Letter — Aleph (𐤀) / Yodh (𐤉): Represents the primordial Unity of God (Ein Sof), divine light, and the ultimate source of spiritual creation.

  • Flanking Lateral Glyphs — Shin (𐤔) / He (𐤄): Forms a sacred cryptographic acronym (Notarikon) invoking divine protection and the sacred root attributes of the Almighty (Shaddai / El Chai).

• Religious & Kabbalistic Mystical Meaning:

  • Apotropaic Matrix (Kamea / Protective Seal): In Second Temple Period Judaea and early mystical tradition, biblical divine names and Paleo-Hebrew letters were arranged within geometric diamond lattices to create powerful protective amulets.

  • Sacred Acronym (Notarikon): Rather than writing full divine names out of religious reverence, ancient Judaean scribes and metalsmiths used abbreviated letter sigils. Worn on the finger, this ring served as a sacred signet to seal documents and jar stoppers while invoking divine blessing, health, and defense against evil spirits and the Malicious Eye (Ayin Hara).

Masterpiece Ancient Judaean / Second Temple Era Cast Bronze Signet Ring — Paleo-Hebrew Script / Kabbalistic Matrix Bezel (US Size 7.5–8 — c. 2nd Century BC – 1st Century AD)

Authenticity & Guarantee

• Certification: Certified Authentic — includes signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) with full provenance documentation.

• Provenance: Ex-private European collection, legally acquired from international sales; Ancient Judaean / Holy Land Sphere.

Item Specifications & Exact Dimensions

• Object: Solid Cast Bronze Signet Ring / Sacred Amulet Ring Matrix (Sphragis)

• Culture / Period: Second Temple Period Judaea (Hasmonean to Early Roman Herodian Era)

• Date Range: Circa 2nd Century BC – 1st Century AD (c. 100 BC – 100 AD)

• Ring Size: US Size 7.5 – 8 (Approx. 17.7 mm – 18.1 mm inner diameter)

• Material: Solid Cast Bronze (Copper Alloy)

• Form & Architecture: Architecturally striking cast bronze ring featuring a slender hoop accented by raised, faceted knops on the shoulders and lower band; holds a prominent vesica-form (pointed oval) signet bezel deeply incised with a sacred diamond matrix enclosing Paleo-Hebrew script characters

• Condition: Exceptional, 100% complete ancient condition. Fully intact structural hoop with all shoulder knops and bezel intact; sharp intaglio engraving preserved under a rich charcoal-olive bronze patina with contrasting pale sand-tan to cream calcareous burial deposits highlighting the letter channels. Free of modern restoration or re-engraving.

Second Temple Epigraphy & Mystical Judaean Seals

During the Second Temple period in Judaea (encompassing the Hasmonean Kingdom and the reign of Herod the Great), Paleo-Hebrew script held intense national, religious, and spiritual significance. While everyday administrative business was increasingly conducted in Aramaic or Greek, the ancient Paleo-Hebrew alphabet was deliberately retained on coinage, holy scrolls, and personal signets as a statement of biblical heritage and divine covenant.

Knopped Band Architecture & Modern Sizing (US Size 7.5–8)

At a highly versatile wearable US Size 7.5 – 8, this ring displays a distinctive architectural form. The raised knops on the shoulders provided structural integrity while allowing the wearer to align the signet bezel by feel when making seal impressions into soft clay (bullae) or wax. The deeply incised script channels ensured crisp, bold seal impressions across thousands of uses.

Typological Analysis & Exact Classification

• Primary Class: Ancient Near Eastern Epigraphy & Personal Equipment / Judaean Bronze Signet

• Sub-Class: Knopped Hoop Vesica Paleo-Hebrew Matrix Bezel Class

• Manufacturing Technique: Solid lost-wax cast copper alloy (cire perdue) with hand-chiseled retrograde Paleo-Hebrew intaglio channels.

Comparable Archaeological Examples & Museum Accession Numbers

• Israel Museum, Jerusalem: Hasmonean and Herodian period bronze signet rings with Paleo-Hebrew letter intaglios and knopped bands excavated from City of David and Qumran strata.

• British Museum (Accession No. 1880,0503.136): Ancient Levantine / Judaean bronze seal ring with inscribed vesica bezel.

• Rockefeller Archaeological Museum (Jerusalem): Second Temple era inscribed bronze signets from regional Judaean fortress sites.