Magical gem: Helios on column surrounded with animals (A) Greek inscription (B)
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CBd-Number:
CBd-1098
ID-Number:
US-NY-MMA-GRA_74.51.4299
Collection:
US_New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Department of Greek and Roman Art
Inventory:
74.51.4299
References:
Bonner, SMA D. 102; Michel, DMG, no. 37.B.4_3
Former Collections:
Cesnola Collection
Material:
haematite (black)
Dimensions:
33 x 17 x 4 mm
Dating:
ca. 2nd–3rd c. AD (MM Coll. website)
Iconography:
Helios; gesture, protective; clothing: tunic; bird: swallows (2); snakes (2); scorpions (2); scarab, with outstreched wings; clothing: mantle; crabs (2); animal: crocodile; column; gesture, greeting
A: Human figure (Helios) standing atop a column, six rays around the head, to right, left hand raised in greeting, right arm slightly extended. Above the figure: a scarab with outstretched wings. Below, on the two sides: pairs of swallows facing inwards, scorpions and crabs crawling to top, snakes with 'hands' raised protectively. At the bottom: crocodile, with head to left. (For an interpretation, cf. CBd-2.)
B: Indistinct inscription in six lines, suggesting that the engraver had miscalculated the placing of the text, which resulted in a confusion of the letters: [.]τ[.]αχεταδεχηπεπτε. → ...? πέπτε. 'Digest!'
Bibliography
Bonner, SMA on CBd-1098
Nagy 2012, comm. ad Bonner IV 60-61
The Metropolitan Museum Collections website on CBd-1098
Last modified: 2019-11-04 20:59:21
Link:cbd.mfab.hu/cbd/1098
CITE THIS PAGE
CBd-1098. The Campbell Bonner Magical Gems Database (2010-), developed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, editor-in-chief: Á. M. Nagy.
Retrieved from: cbd.mfab.hu/cbd/1098 on 01-12-2024.
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