Sealstone of Mani
| Mani's crystal seal | |
|---|---|
| File:Mani-Seal.jpg The crystal seal seen from the perspective of the round convex surface | |
| Material | quartz |
| Size | diameter 2.9 cm, thickness 0.9 cm |
| Writing | Syrian |
| Created | 3rd century AD |
| Present location | National Library of France |
| Identification | inv.58.1384bis |
The crystal seal of Mani (French: Sceau de Mani; English: Crystal sealstone of Mani or Manichean Rock-Crystal Seal) is a crystal stone with intaglio busts of three Manichean elect. There is a circle of Syriac writing around the intaglio, which should be a personal seal used by Mani, the founder of Manichaeism.[1]This is the only piece of Manichaean art from the Sassanid period of Mesopotamia (Asōristān) found so far, which is the birthplace of the religion.[2] Now in the collection of the National Library of France in Paris.
Description
According to the research by Hungarian Asian religious art historian Gu Leci, the seal was used between 240 and 274 or 277 AD. She believes that this crystal stone is a unique piece of art. Its uniqueness is not only because of its historical value, but also because of its artistic characteristics that are completely different from other ancient Iranian gem seals. This crystal was originally inlaid in a metal rim, and has two functions: first, its concave surface is used as a seal; second, the intaglio images and inscriptions seen through its round convex surface will appear as embossed. It can be worn as a gem-engraved necklace ornament. The Syrian inscriptions engraved around must also be visible through the convex surface: "M’ny šlyḥ’ d-yyšw‘ mšyḥ’", interpreted as "Mani, the apostle of Jesus Christ". Therefore, this seal is the first Manichaean artwork to mention Jesus. In the original sentence, "Apostle" (Apostle) means "Messenger", and "Jesus Christ" actually means "Messiah" (Messiah). In the early Manichaean literature, this sentence is often used as the beginning of the religious letters written by Mani.[3]
References
- ^ ""Sceau de Mani" (inv.58.1384bis)". medaillesetantiques.bnf.fr (in French). Retrieved 2018-12-19.
Selon Zsuzsanna Gulácsi, le sceau daterait de l'époque même de Mani et pourrait être son sceau privé.
- ^ Gulácsi, Zsuzsanna (2008). "Manichean Art". Encyclopædia Iranica. Columbia University. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
- ^ Gulácsi, Zsuzsanna (2015). Mani's Pictures: The Didactic Images of the Manichaeans from Sasanian Mesopotamia to Uygur Central Asia and Tang-Ming China. "Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies" series. Vol. 90. Leiden: Brill Publishers. p. p. 62. ISBN 9789004308947.
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