Talismans - Magical gem: Harpocrates with triads of animals (A) Greek inscription (B)

Magical gem: Harpocrates with triads of animals (A) Greek inscription (B)

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CBd-Number:

CBd-2969

ID-Number:

FR-BnF-CdM_Schlumberger.437

Collection:

FR_Paris, Cabinet des Médailles

Inventory:

Schlumberger.437

References:

Delatte–Derchain 1964, no. 148; Mastrocinque 2014, no. 32; Michel, DMG, no. 19.4.c_5

Former Collections:

Schlumberger, Gustave (1844–1929)

Material:

haematite (black)

Dimensions:

37 x 19 x 5 mm

Iconography:

Harpocrates seated with knees drawn up; crown, lotus?; animal: crocodiles (3); crown, double?; boat, papyrus; animal: goats (3); snakes (3); bird: falcons (3); scarabs (3); gesture, hand raised to mouth; plant: lotus buds (2); Harpocrates sitting on lotus flower; solar disk?

Divine Names & Voces:

Ἀβρασάξ

Description: Upright oblong, both faces flat. Shape 8–9. Haematite. Filed off at the lower right edge.

A: Harpocrates sitting with both knees drawn up on a lotus flower with two buds, placed inside a papyrus boat. Harpocrates is crowned with the solar disk (or a lotus bud?), facing left. His left hand is raised to his mouth, right hand placed on his hip. Around, triads of animals, clockwise from the top: scarabs, falcons with double crowns(?), crocodiles, snakes, goats.
B: Greek inscription in three lines: αβρ|ασ|αξ → Ἀβρασάξ.

Bibliography
Delatte–Derchain 1964, no. 148.
Michel, DMG, 19.4.c_5
Mastrocinque 2014 on CBd-2969

The Cabinet des Médailles database on CBd-2969

Last modified: 2019-10-21 09:04:19

Link:cbd.mfab.hu/cbd/2969

CITE THIS PAGE

CBd-2969. 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/2969 on 09-03-2025.

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Image-ID 9526

Credits Photo: A. Mastrocinque

Notes Side A and B