Signet (Hastings' Dictionary)

In the e.arly days of civilization the art of writing w.is practically limited to a class of pro- fessional scribes. Every one outside that class, from the king downwards, needed a signet to authenticate the documents with which he was concerned. Hero- dotus, i. l'J.j, saj-s of the Babylonians, <r<ppriyT5a Si JrooTot fx".

An immense number of these seals have come down to us, Egypt and Assyria being the two great sources from which, directly or by imitation, the leading types have been derivetl. One of the earliest and most persistent forms is that of the scarab, originating in Egypt, but imi- tated by the Phoenicians and others. These scarabs were often made of clay or steatite, and bore the owner's name on the flat side.

Another verj' early variety is the Assj'rian and Babylonian cylinder of jasper, chalcedony, or other stone, J of an inch to li mches long and from h inch to 1 in. diani., pierced longitudinally, and worn on a linen or woollen cord round the neck. Ball {Light from the East, p. 24) figures some of these, which are said to range from B.C. 4500 downwards.

The name of the owner and of the deity whom he specially worshipped were engraved on them ; sacred emblems and scenes are also common, such as a god slaying a lion, a tree guarded by genii, (/"onical signets, with the device on the broad end and the attachment at the top, • At Ex 7* the IiXy tnuiBlatcs nc'io a wonder, by mfMin, show- iDK thai there was no very sharp distinction between rnfuin and rifmt ; c(. also Lk 238. Sn Trench, Miraclet, pp. 1-a, for the ■ubject ol this article.