The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of May 4, 2024
Fire Altar Intaglio
c. 400 CE
(224–651 CE), reign of Hormizd II (303–309)
Overall: 2.4 x 2 x 1.7 cm (15/16 x 13/16 x 11/16 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1954.593
Location: 102A Ancient Near East
Did You Know?
Seal stones served as signatures and seals for documents.Description
A Zoroastrian fire altar is carved into this chalcedony intaglio, consisting of a pedestal, pillar, and bowl for an eternal flame. A bird perches above the altar bowl and fish flank the pedestal. A carved star decorates the backside. A pierced hole through the gemstone suggests it once hung on a cord around a neck or wrist. Although the fire altar is a Zoroastrian religious symbol, birds and fish also occur in Christian iconography.- Vladimir G. SimkovitchVladimir G. Simkhovitch
- {{cite web|title=Fire Altar Intaglio|url=false|author=|year=c. 400 CE|access-date=04 May 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1954.593