This page summarizes the typology, stratification, & overall theory from the landmark publications, "Rosette Stamp Seal Impressions from Ancient Judah", by Jane M. Cahill in IEJ vol. 45 #4; & "Rosette-stamped Handles:  Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis" by Joseph Yellin & Jane M. Cahill in IEJ vol. 54 #2; both published by The Israel Exploration Society.

Overview

• Close to 250 jar handles bearing Rosette seal impressions have been recovered from 23 sites located in the vicinity of ancient Judah.
• All but 2 of the vessels bearing Rosette stamps that have been restored are ovoid storage jars (Lachish Type 483; Gitin's SJO 5 jars) identified as taller, narrower derivatives of the LMLK jars (Lachish Type 484) with volumes slightly less than LMLK Jars; the others are single-handled decanters (one is Class I.D.6 excavated in the City of David; the other has not been formally published, but was recovered from the Motzah suburb of Jerusalem during a salvage operation).
• The recovery of well-stratified specimens solely from destruction levels marking the end of the Iron Age II suggests that the vessels on which they appear circulated during the late 7th & early 6th centuries B.C., which implies that their production may have been initiated by King Jehoiakim to build up military supplies in response to the threat of Babylonian invasion that followed the Egyptian defeat at the Battle of Carchemish.  However, some scholars assign their development to the worship reforms instituted by King Josiah.
• The significance of the Rosette motif probably indicates that the vessels on which they appear were intended for royal/official or religious use; it's unlikely they represent a guild of potters because unstamped versions of the jars have been found in-situ with the stamped ones.
• Three distinct classes of clay have been identified for Rosette jars (RSH="Rosette-stamped Handle"):
• RSH I:  Similar to clay used for Type 484 LMLK handles.
• RSH II:  Similar to clay used for LMLK pithos handles.
• RSH III:  A clay similar to RSH I & II, but chemically different; so far only 1 handle belongs to this type.
• At least one Rosette handle (the III.A.12 from Gibeah) also bears a Plus mark similar to post-fired incisions found on a few LMLK handles; however, unlike the LMLK specimens where the mark was made over the stamp, the mark on this handle is a few inches away from the Rosette.

Type 483 Jar

Typology

1. Fancy--stamped in low relief, petals consist of a tear-shaped inner core surrounded by a narrow ridge forming an outer frame
1. Petals with a shared outline that meet the central dot at their pointed ends
• 5 petals (clay not yet analyzed)
• 8 petals (RSH I)
• 12 petals (RSH I)
• 16 petals (RSH I)
2. Petals with a shared outline ending at a raised circular ridge that surrounds the central dot
• 7 petals (clay not yet analyzed)
• 12 petals (RSH I)
• 16 petals (RSH I; a recently discovered type not published in IEJ v45)
3. Petals with individual outlines; both the petals & their frames meet the central dot
• 6 petals (RSH I)
• 7 petals (clay not yet analyzed)
• 8 petals (RSH I)
4. Petals with individual outlines ending at a raised circular ridge that surrounds the central dot
• 6 petals (RSH II)
2. Plain--stamped in low relief, petals have no outer frame
1. Narrow, lozenge-shaped petals with sloping sides & sharp spines connected to a raised central dot
• 8 petals (RSH I)
• 10 petals (clay not yet analyzed)
• 12 petals (RSH I)
2. Type A rosettes inscribed within a double border formed by 2 circular ridges that enclose a series of raised dots evenly spaced around the rosette motif
• 8 petals (RSH I)
3. Lozenge-shaped petals connected to a depressed central dot
• 8 petals (RSH I)
• 11 petals (clay not yet analyzed)
4. Tear-shaped petals with wide, rounded ends facing a stepped central dot, the middle of which is raised above its outer edges; the entire motif resembles a star
• 8 petals (RSH II)
3. Crude--stamped in low relief, petals slope down toward but do not reach the central dot, which is depressed so that the overall motif is concave
1. Short, lozenge- or tear-shaped petals separated from a small central dot by a broad furrow
• 8 petals (RSH I)
• 10 petals (clay not yet analyzed)
• 12 petals (RSH I)
• 16 petals (clay not yet analyzed)
2. Short, wedge-shaped petals surrounding a disproportionably large central dot framed by a narrow furrow
• 8 petals (clay not yet analyzed)
• 10 petals (clay not yet analyzed)
• 12 petals (RSH I)
3. Petals formed by small, round points evenly spaced around the central dot that is set off by a narrow furrow; the motif is framed by a raised circular border at its outer edge
• 6 petals (RSH II)
4. Schematic--petals formed by straight lines stamped in low relief
1. Stick-like petals crossing at the centre of the design like spokes in a wheel; the motif is inscribed within a raised circular ridge executed close to the outer edge of the seal
• 8 petals (RSH I)
2. Stick-like petals radiating around a large, depressed central dot; the motif is concave in profile
• 13 petals (RSH II)
5. Intaglio--depressed, wedge-shaped petals
1. Petals with pointed ends facing a depressed central dot; individual petals & central dot are bordered by a raised outline
• 8 petals (RSH II; an unpublished handle from Ekron tentatively identified as V.A.8 belongs to RSH I; however, it's poorly preserved)
2. Petals arranged with their pointed ends facing the center; no outer border or central dot
• 6 petals (RSH III)
6. Cannot Classify
1. Motif is too poorly stamped/preserved
• ? petals
2. Unpublished
• ? petals

Summary of petals:  5, 6, 7, 8, x, 10, 11, 12, 13, x, x, 16 (note--no known examples of 9, 14, or 15 petals)

Summary of clay:

Stratification

Note:  Additional specimens have been found at some of these sites, but out of context, on the surface, or without proper documentation.

Sample Stamps

These 4 are courtesy of Gil & Lisa Chaya:

These 5 are courtesy of Archaeological Center by Robert Deutsch:

These 2 are courtesy of www.venusgalleries.com by Sami Taha:

These 3 are courtesy of The Living Torah Museum by Rabbi Shaul Shimon Deutsch:

Unprovenanced Handle Details

6 petals; ID #6 from the private collection in Boston

8 petals; ID #5 from the private collection in Boston

8 petals; ID #17 from the private collection in Boston

8 petals; ID #18 from the private collection in Boston

8 petals; ID "Ros" from the private collection in Redondo Beach

8 petals; ID #7 from the private collection of Herbert B. Stearns

8? petals; ID #8 from the private collection of Michael Welch

8 petals; ID #1 from the private collection of Michael Welch

8 petals; ID #4 from the private collection of Michael Welch

8 petals; ID #10 from the private collection of Michael Welch

11? or 12? petals; ID #6 from the private collection of Michael Welch

12 petals; ID #2 from the private collection of Michael Welch

12 petals; ID #3 from the private collection of Michael Welch

12? petals; ID #5 from the private collection of Michael Welch

12 petals; ID #7 from the private collection of Michael Welch

12 petals; ID #9 from the private collection of Michael Welch

12 petals; ID #1 from the private collection of Dan Gross

12 petals; ID #2 from the private collection of Dan Gross