Magical gem: Hermes and Anubis (A) characteres and symbols (B)
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CBd-Number:
CBd-2191
ID-Number:
AT-Wien-KM_IXB 1260
Collection:
AT_Wien, Kunsthistorisches Museum
Inventory:
IXB 1260
References:
Chifletius–Macarius, no. XII 46; Zwierlein-Diehl, AGWien III, 2697; Michel, DMG, no. 24.1.a_6
Former Collections:
Hörwarth / Herwart von Hohenburg, Hans Georg (Ioannes Georgius Herwartius, 1553–1622)
Material:
chalcedony-agate
Dimensions:
61 x 47.7 x 14.8 mm
Dating:
16th c. AD (Zwierlein-Diehl)
Iconography:
Hermes; zodiac cycle-05, Leo; zodiac cycle-02, Taurus; Anubis; torch, burning; vessels, unspecified; plant: stalks of grain; scepter, with falcon on the top; clothing: cap; clothing: kilt; zodiac cycle-09, Sagittarius
Divine Names & Voces:
Ἰάω
Description: Transverse oval, side A lightly, side B more strongly convex. Shape 12c. Light gray, translucent chalcedony with a light brown, translucent layer. Strongly damaged at the edges, bored through at the upper edge and filled with a metal (copper – bronze?) pin.
A: Ouroboros frame. Hermes and Anubis standing opposite each other, both in kilts. Between them, a stud consisting of two metals (cupper and bronze?). Hermes wears a cap with small wings, he is holding stalks of grain in his right hand, and a falcon-sceptre in his left hand. The jackal-headed Anubis is holding a jug in his right hand and a burning torch in his left hand. Between the gods, at the height of the legs: ιαω|φερεν|φερω → Ἰάω φέρ’ ἕν φέρω. 'Ἰάω fetch one, I am fetching it.'
B: Three lines of characteres as well as planetary and zodiacal symbols (Taurus, Saturnus, Sagittarius, Sol and Leo).
The gem may have been carved after the drawing of a cast in Chifletius–Macarius, Abrasax, see CBd-2819. For a similar gem in Staatliches Museum Ägyptischer Kunst in Munich, see CBd-323.
Another copy: Devoto–Molayem 1990, 204 fig. 122 (Michel).
/Description: Erika Zwierlein-Diehl – CBd/
Bibliography
Chifletius–Macarius, Abraxas, XII 46.
Michel, DMG, 282, 24.1.a_6
Zwierlein-Diehl 1989, figs. 22, 23.
Zwierlein-Diehl, AGWien III on CBd-2191
Zwierlein-Diehl 2014, figs. 15, 16.
A: Ouroboros frame. Hermes and Anubis standing opposite each other, both in kilts. Between them, a stud consisting of two metals (cupper and bronze?). Hermes wears a cap with small wings, he is holding stalks of grain in his right hand, and a falcon-sceptre in his left hand. The jackal-headed Anubis is holding a jug in his right hand and a burning torch in his left hand. Between the gods, at the height of the legs: ιαω|φερεν|φερω → Ἰάω φέρ’ ἕν φέρω. 'Ἰάω fetch one, I am fetching it.'
B: Three lines of characteres as well as planetary and zodiacal symbols (Taurus, Saturnus, Sagittarius, Sol and Leo).
The gem may have been carved after the drawing of a cast in Chifletius–Macarius, Abrasax, see CBd-2819. For a similar gem in Staatliches Museum Ägyptischer Kunst in Munich, see CBd-323.
Another copy: Devoto–Molayem 1990, 204 fig. 122 (Michel).
/Description: Erika Zwierlein-Diehl – CBd/
Bibliography
Chifletius–Macarius, Abraxas, XII 46.
Michel, DMG, 282, 24.1.a_6
Zwierlein-Diehl 1989, figs. 22, 23.
Zwierlein-Diehl, AGWien III on CBd-2191
Zwierlein-Diehl 2014, figs. 15, 16.
Last modified: 2017-10-12 10:07:51
Link:cbd.mfab.hu/cbd/2191
CITE THIS PAGE
CBd-2191. 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/2191 on 09-03-2025.
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