Israel Antiquities Authority/The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Getting a handle on seals. The solar disk stamped on this ancient jar handle has six rays projecting from the top and bottom; faintly visible above the left wing is a trace of the word l’melekh, which means “Belonging to the king.” Almost 4,000 of these jar handles that can be dated to the reign of Hezekiah have been found. The discovery of a seal impression bearing Hezekiah’s name above a similar symbol confirms that this symbol, once only found on jar handle seals, is a royal emblem.