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Pre-Columbian Stamp Seals and Roller Seals Collection, Pre-Columbian era - 1600 A.D.: Finding Aid

GC185

Princeton University Manuscripts Division

Published in 2004

©2007 Princeton University Library

Summary Information

Collector:

Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special Collections.

Title and dates:

Pre-Columbian Stamp Seals and Roller Seals Collection, Pre-Columbian era - 1600 A.D.

Abstract:

The Pre-Columbian Stamp Seals and Roller Seals Collection consists of approximately 150 clay stamp seals, roller seals, and flat seals with handles.

Size:

7.0 linear feet (4 flat boxes)

Call number:

GC185

Location:

Princeton University Library. Department of Rare Books and Special Collections.
Graphic Arts Collection.
Princeton, New Jersey 08544 USA

Language(s) of material:

None.

Storage note:

This collection is stored onsite at Firestone Library.

Description

Consists of 147 clay stamp seals and roller or cylinder seals dating from the Pre-Columbian era and Post-Conquest until 1600 A.D., chiefly from Mesoamerica but possibly from other places in the Americas. These seals (sellos) include anthropomorphic, zoomorphic, floral, and geometric designs, and were probably used to decorate fabric and/or the human body. Some of the stamps contain remains of pigments.

Arrangement

Organized into the following series:

• Series 1: Stamp Seals: Anthropomorphic Designs
• Series 2: Stamp Seals: Zoomorphic Designs
• Series 3: Stamp Seals: Geometric, Floral, and Other Designs
• Series 4: Large Flat Seals (with handles)
• Series 5: Roller Seals

Access and Use

Access

Collection is open for research use.

Restrictions on Use and Copyright Information

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Associate University Librarian for Rare Books and Special Collections. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of Gillet G. Griffin in 1966.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Princeton University Library has three collections of Mesoamerican manuscripts: Garrett-Gates Mesoamerican Manuscripts Collection (C0744), Garrett Collection of Mesoamerican Manuscripts (C0744), and Princeton Collection of Mesoamerican Manuscripts (C0940). The Garrett-Gates and Garrett collections form part of the larger Robert Garrett Collection (C0744).

Location of Copies or Alternate Formats

A few digital images from the collection are available at: http://libweb5.princeton.edu/mssimages/pre-columbian.html.

Processing and Other Information

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Teresa T. Basler and Charles E. Greene in 2004. Finding aid written by Teresa T. Basler and Charles E. Greene in 2004.

Descriptive Rules Used

Finding aid content adheres to that prescribed by Describing Archives: A Content Standard.

Encoding

Machine-readable finding aid encoded in EAD 2002 by Techbooks, Cristela García-Spitz, and Amy E. Armstrong on May 30, 2007. Created from MARC record via MarcEdit and XSL stylesheets in 2007.

Finding aid written in English.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Pre-Columbian Stamp Seals and Roller Seals Collection, Box and Folder Number; Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Subject Headings

These materials have been indexed in the Princeton University Library online catalog using the following terms. Those seeking related materials should search under these terms.

• Indian art -- Central America.
• Indian art -- South America.
• Cylinder seals.

Browse other finding aids related to the following terms:

• Antiquities

Contents List

1. Series 1: Stamp Seals: Anthropomorphic Designs

2. 8.6 cm. x 5.0 cm. (stamp, concave)

   Box 1

3. 6.4 cm. x 4.4 cm. (stamp)

   Box 2

4. 5.2 cm. x 3.0 cm. (stamp, formerly no. “71”)

   Box 3

5. 3.0 cm. round (stamp, formerly no. “75”)

   Box 4

6. 4 cm. x 4.8 cm. (stamp)

   Box 5

7. 6.0 cm. x 3.0 cm. (stamp, formerly “26”)

   Box 6

8. 6.5 cm. x 3.9 cm. (bone form)

   Box 7

9. 5.8 cm. x 4.0 cm. (stamp)

   Box 8

10. 7.7 cm. x 4.9 cm. (stamp, concave, formerly no. “3[?]”)

    Box 9

11. 3.8 cm. x 2.8 cm. (stamp)

    Box 10

12. 4.8 cm. x 3.0 cm. (stamp, foot form)

    Box 11

13. 2.8 cm. round (stamp, bone form)

    Box 12

14. 4.8 cm. x 4.0 cm. (stamp)

    Box 13

15. 5.7 cm. x 3.8 cm. (without handle, foot form, formerly no. “64”)

    Box 14

16. 4.6 cm. x 2.8 cm. (stamp)

    Box 15

17. 3.8 cm. x 3.4 cm. (stamp, foot form)

    Box 16

18. 5.5 cm. x 7.0 cm. (stamp, hand, formerly no. “16”)

    Box 17

19. Series 2: Stamp Seals: Zoomorphic Designs

20. 7.0 cm. x 3.0 cm. (stamp)

    Box 18

21. 10.3 cm. x 6.0 cm. (stamp, formerly no. “85”)

    Box 19

22. 34.0 cm. x 2.8 cm. (stamp)

    Box 20

23. 9.2 cm. x 3.0 cm. (stamp)

    Box 21

24. 4.3 cm. x 2.8 cm. (stamp)

    Box 22

25. 2.5 cm. x 1.8 cm. (stamp)

    Box 23

26. 2.6 cm. round (without handle, formerly no. “40”)

    Box 24

27. 3.8 cm. x 3.5 cm. (stamp)

    Box 25

28. 5.2 cm. x 3.5 cm. (stamp)

    Box 26

29. 5.0 cm. x 4.2 cm. (stamp)

    Box 27

30. 6.0 cm. x 4.5 cm. (stamp, concave)

    Box 28

31. 3.6 cm. x 2.0 cm. (stamp)

    Box 29

32. 4.4 cm. x 4.0 cm. (stamp)

    Box 30

33. 4.8 cm. x 4.8 cm. (stamp)

    Box 31

34. 4.9 cm. x 3.3 cm. (stamp)

    Box 32

35. 3.8 cm. x 2.0 cm. (stamp)

    Box 33

36. 4.3 cm. x 2.7 cm. (stamp)

    Box 34

37. Series 3: Stamp Seals: Geometric, Floral, and Other Designs

38. 16.8 cm. x 6.4 cm. (triangular stamp)

    Box 35

39. 6.5 cm. x 2.8 cm. (stamp)

    Box 36

40. 5.5 cm. x 5.5 cm. (stamp)

    Box 37

41. 5.6 cm. x 2.3 cm. (stamp)

    Box 38

42. 6.0 cm. x 3.7 cm. (stamp)

    Box 39

43. 4.6 cm. x 2.5 cm. (cone-shaped, formerly no. “53”)

    Box 40

44. 5.5 cm. x 4.0 cm. (stamp)

    Box 41

45. 6.4 cm. x 4.6 cm. (stamp)

    Box 42

46. 4.0 cm. x 2.5 cm. (stamp)

    Box 43

47. 6.2 cm. x 3.2 cm. (stamp, stone)

    Box 44

48. 10.0 cm. x 3.4 cm. (stamp, formerly no. “45”)

    Box 45

49. 4.0 cm. round (stamp)

    Box 46

50. 8.6 cm. x 4.3 cm. (stamp)

    Box 47

51. 3.1 cm. x 3.0 cm. (stamp, formerly no. “42”)

    Box 48

52. 3.5 cm. round (stamp, formerly no. “74”)

    Box 49

53. 6.5 cm. x 5.0 cm. (stamp, formerly no. “32”)

    Box 50

54. 5.2 cm. x 4.5 cm. (stamp)

    Box 51

55. 4.0 cm. x 2.9 cm. (without handle, formerly no. “86”)

    Box 52

56. 4.4 cm. x 2.1 cm. (stamp)

    Box 53

57. 4.5 cm. x 4.1 cm. (stamp)

    Box 54

58. 5.7 cm. x 5.0 cm. (stamp)

    Box 55

59. 6.0 cm. x 1.8 cm. (stamp)

    Box 56

60. 3.5 cm. x 3.0 cm. (stamp)

    Box 57

61. 6.5 cm. x 3.7 cm. (stamp)

    Box 58

62. 4.0 cm. x 3.5 cm. (stamp)

    Box 59

63. 6.0 cm. x 5.5 cm. (stamp, formerly no. “34”)

    Box 60

64. 4.0 cm. x 3.2 cm. (stamp)

    Box 61

65. 8.2 cm. x 0.8 cm. (stamp)

    Box 62

66. 3.5 cm. x 2.2 cm. (cone-shaped)

    Box 63

67. 5.0 cm. x 4.0 cm. (stamp)

    Box 64

68. 4.0 cm. x 1.0 cm. (stamp, formerly no. “68')

    Box 65

69. 3.7 cm. x 3.1 cm. (without handle)

    Box 66

70. 3.5 cm x 2.0 cm. (stamp, formerly no. “41”)

    Box 67

71. 5.8 cm. x 5.0 cm. (stamp)

    Box 68

72. 7.5 cm. x 4.5 cm. (stamp)

    Box 69

73. 7.5 cm. x 3.5 cm. (stamp, handle is a rattle, concave surface)

    Box 70

74. 4.5 cm. x 4.3 cm. (stamp)

    Box 71

75. 7.0 cm. x 1.8 cm. (stamp)

    Box 72

76. 5.0 cm. x 3.5 cm. (stamp)

    Box 73

77. 4.8 cm. x 2.8 cm. (stamp)

    Box 74

78. 4.0 cm. x 1.8 cm. (stamp)

    Box 75

79. 5.6 cm. x 3.1 cm. (stamp)

    Box 76

80. 3.5 cm. x 6.0 cm. (broom shaped, formerly no. “61”)

    Box 77

81. 2.5 cm. x 1.5 cm. (cone-shaped, formerly no. “79”)

    Box 78

82. 5.1 cm. x 5.5 cm. (without handle)

    Box 79

83. 7.0 cm. x 3.0 (without handle)

    Box 80

84. 7.5 cm. x 4.5 cm. (stamp)

    Box 81

85. 10. 0 cm. x 3.5 cm. (stamp)

    Box 82

86. 8.5 cm. x 4.0 cm. (stamp, formerly no. “28”)

    Box 83

87. 2.5 cm. x 3.3 cm. (cone-shaped)

    Box 84

88. 7.0 cm. 3.0 cm. (stamp)

    Box 85

89. 8.0 cm. x 1.0 cm. (stamp)

    Box 86

90. 3.2 cm. x 3.2 cm. (without handle)

    Box 87

91. 7.3 cm. x 4.5 cm. (stamp, formerly no. “69”)

    Box 88

92. 2.2 cm. x 2.1 cm. (stamp)

    Box 89

93. 5.0 cm. x 2.4 cm. (without handle)

    Box 90

94. 3.7 cm. x 2.3 cm. (without handle)

    Box 91

95. 5.5 cm. x 3.9 cm. (stamp, formerly no. “20”)

    Box 92

96. 5.0 cm. x 3.5 cm. (stamp, old label says “hoe”)

    Box 93

97. 8.0 cm. x 4.0 cm. (stamps, concave surface, formerly no. “29”)

    Box 94

98. 7.0 cm. x 4.8 cm. (stamp, concave)

    Box 95

99. 8.0 cm. x 7.5 cm. (stamp, concave, formerly no. “23”)

    Box 96

100. 9.4 cm. x 4.4 cm. (stamp, concave, formerly no. “21”)

     Box 97

101. 7.0 cm. x 3.0 cm. (stamp, concave, formerly no. “22”)

     Box 98

102. 7.8 cm. x 3.5 cm. (stamps, concave, formerly no. “7”)

     Box 99

103. 7.5 cm. x 4.0 cm. (stamp, concave, formerly no. “27”)

     Box 100

104. 8.5 cm. x 5.0 cm. (stamp, concave, formerly no. “8”)

     Box 101

105. 7.7 cm. x 3.5 cm. (stamp, concave, formerly no. “33”)

     Box 102

106. 6.0 cm. x 3.7 cm. (stamp)

     Box 103

107. 8.0 cm. x 4.0 cm. (stamp, concave, formerly no. “19)

     Box 104

108. Series 4: Large Flat Seals (with handles)

109. 11.6 cm. x 5.2 cm.

     Box 105

110. 9.6 cm. x 7.0 cm.

     Box 106

111. 9.6 cm. x 5.6 cm. (formerly no. “13”)

     Box 107

112. 9.0 cm. x 7.0 cm.

     Box 108

113. 9.2 cm. x 3.3 cm. (formerly no. “12”)

     Box 109

114. 7.5 cm. x 6.4 cm.

     Box 110

115. 8.2 cm. x 4.5 cm. (formerly no. “14”)

     Box 111

116. Series 5: Roller Seals

117. 5.0 cm. x 3.5 cm.

     Box 112

118. 4.4 cm. x 3.4 cm.

     Box 113

119. 4.5 cm. x 3.5 cm. (formerly no. “50”)

     Box 114

120. 7.0 cm. x 3.7 cm.

     Box 115

121. 9.5 cm. x 3.5 cm. (formerly no. “54”)

     Box 116

122. 4.9 cm. x 4.0 cm. (formerly no. “2”)

     Box 117

123. 6.5 cm. x 3.9 cm.

     Box 118

124. 3.5 cm. x 2.2 cm.

     Box 119

125. 4.5 cm. x 2.4 cm.

     Box 120

126. 3.4 cm. x 1.6 cm.

     Box 121

127. 7.8 cm. x 3.0 cm.

     Box 122

128. 6.5 cm. x 3.3 cm. (formerly no. “17”)

     Box 123

129. 4.0 cm. x 2.7 cm.

     Box 124

130. 4.5 cm. x 3.0 cm.

     Box 125

131. 6.0 cm. x 3.1 cm.

     Box 126

132. 6.3 cm. x 3.0 cm. (formerly no. “38”)

     Box 127

133. 5.5 cm. x 3.2 cm. (formerly no. “46”)

     Box 128

134. 6.0 cm. x 4.5 cm.

     Box 129

135. 10.0 cm. x 3.5 cm.

     Box 130

136. 5.8 cm. x 2.5 cm.

     Box 131

137. 8.0 cm. x 2.7 cm.

     Box 132

138. 7.9 cm. x 2.7 cm. (formerly no. “76”)

     Box 133

139. 2.8 cm. x 9.5 cm.

     Box 134

140. 3.8 cm. x 9.7 cm. (formerly no. “55”)

     Box 135

141. 4.5 cm. x 4.8 cm.

     Box 136

142. 3.7 cm. x 5.7 cm.

     Box 137

143. 4.9 cm. x 5.2 cm. (formerly no. “52”)

     Box 138

144. 4.2 cm. x 5.5 cm.

     Box 139

145. 2.7 cm. x 4.4 cm.

     Box 140

146. 3.2 cm. x 5.8 cm. (formerly no. “37”)

     Box 141

147. 3.0 cm. x 9.3 cm.

     Box 142

148. 3.7 cm. x 5.4 cm.

     Box 143

149. 4.0 cm. x 5.8 cm.

     Box 144

150. 4.2 cm. x 4.0 cm.

     Box 145

151. 5.0 cm. x 2.9 cm.

     Box 146

152. 9.7 cm. x 3.7 cm.

     Box 147

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Permanent URL: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/p5547r444

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