The CBd
 
 
Magical gem in a modern silver mount: An Ouroboros enclosing Harpocrates with triads of animals (A) Greek inscription (B-C)
CBd-Number:
CBd-2967
ID-Number:
FR-BnF-CdM_N.58.2196
Collection:
FR_Paris, Cabinet des Médailles
Inventory:
N.58.2196
References:
Delatte–Derchain 1964, no. 151; Michel, DMG, no. 19.4.a_9; Mastrocinque 2014, no. 30
Material:
haematite (black)
Dimensions:
26 x 21 x 4 mm
Iconography:
Ouroboros; side-lock of youth; Harpocrates sitting on lotus flower; Harpocrates seated with knees drawn up; gesture, hand raised to mouth; plant: lotus flower; plant: lotus buds (2); boat, papyrus; star; solar disk; moon, crescent; flail?; animal: goats (3); snakes (3); animal: crocodiles (3); bird: falcons (3); scarabs (3); crown, double
Divine Names & Voces:
voces, unidentified; vocales, αεηιουω
Logoi:
σθομβαολη-logos; χαβραχ-logos

Description: Upright oval, both faces flat. Shape 8–9. Haematite. Large chips on the edges.

A: Ouroboros enclosing Harpocrates. The young Horus sits with both knees drawn up on a lotus flower, placed inside a papyrus boat. Harpocrates is crowned with the solar disk, facing left, side-lock of youth visible. His right hand is raised to his mouth, his left hand holds a flail (?). In front of the deity, an eight-pointed star, to the right, a crescent. Around, triads of animals, clockwise from the top: scarabs, goats, snakes, falcons with double crowns. Greek inscription around the edge: ουηιηιεισθομβαρληβαολσ[- - - - - - ]αλαμ → variant of the σθομβαολη-logos.
B: Greek inscription in seven lines: αιηιουω|εηιουωα|ηιουωαε|ιουωαεη|ουωαεηι|υωαεηιο|ωαεηιου → the Greek vowel series.
C: Greek inscription around the edge: χαβραχφνεσχ[...]χροφνυρ[...]ληιουι → variant of χαβραχ-logos, unknown vox (description after the photograph.)

Bibliography
Delatte–Derchain 1964, no. 151.
Mastrocinque 2014 on CBd-2967

The Cabinet des Médailles database on CBd-2967

Last modified: 2019-11-11 21:32:43
Link:cbd.mfab.hu/cbd/2967
CITE THIS PAGE
CBd-2967. 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/2967 on 09-03-2025.

Image-ID 9524

Credits Photo: A. Mastrocinque

Rights © Bibliothèque nationale de France, Cabinet des Médailles

Notes Side A and B