Sealstone of Mani

A crystal sealstone, likely from the 3rd century, in common Sassanian style, portraying the religious figure Mani and two attendants or followers. Very different from other Iranian gem seals. Interpreted to be a seal, but could also have been used as an engraved necklace ornament or amulet.

Contemporary to Mani?

Gulácsi examines a crystal sealstone attributed to Mani and argues that it likely served as the official personal stamp-seal for the prophet and as a personal amulet to know his identity. It is unique in that it is the only known piece of Manichaean art from Sassanid Mesopotamia (most surviving Manichaean art is known from Central Asia and China, despite the far reach of the religion) and also the oldest piece, as argued by this article, contemporary to the religion leader himself. There is solid evidence for this being Mani’s: on the flat side of the crystal, there is an inscription in Syriac (Aramaic) reading “Mani, apostle [lit. messenger] of Jesus Messiah”, and the script is written in unique Manichaean orthography. The sealstone depicts Mani and two followers, or representatives of his community of Elects (the ascetic spiritual elite and leaders of the religion). However, its origins are elusive; there is no record of the sealstone until its appearance in Paris in 1896, where it is housed today at the Bibliothèque nationale. Gulácsi compares the sealstone to contemporary Sassanid seals and art, showing both similarity and difference between that of prophet and noble or king, and how it might have been used as a pendant to signify leadership amongst Manichaeans prior to their demise in their native lands.¹

Bibliography

• Gulácsi, Zsuzsanna. “The Prophet’s Seal: A Contextualized Look at the Crystal Sealstone of Mani (216–276 CE) in the Bibliothèque nationale de France.” Bulletin of the Asia Institute 24 (2010 [2014]): 161–185.