Inscribed Hebrew Seals
These seals, inscribed in the ancient Hebrew script, date to the last two centuries of the Judean Monarchy. Most are made of semi-precious stones or of hard limestone, and a few are carved of bone glass, bronze or silver. The seal-impression was used as a mark of ownership and to authenticate a document, just as the signature is used today.
Highlights of Archaeology, Jerusalem- The Israel Museum, 1984.