Armenia. Ovanes, son of Gregor, circa 10th-12th centuries (?). Stamp Seal (Silver, 28 mm, 10.44 g). ԳՐԻԳ/ՈՐԻ ՈՐԴԻՈ/ՎԱՆԷՍ ('grigori ordiovanes' in Armenian) in three lines. A beautiful Armenian silver stamp seal of great historical interest. Two small holes for suspension, otherwise, extremely fine.


This highly interesting stamp seal belonged to Ovanes, son of Gregor, whose name appears in a very neatly cut three-line Armenian legend. Armenian stamp seals are extremely rare, and we may presume from the beautiful calligraphy and the fact that the seal is made from silver that Ovanes must have been an important figure, perhaps a nobleman or high-ranking official. The two holes on the right side of the seal probably held a loop so Ovanes could carry his personal seal around his neck at all times.