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Description: Upright oval, both sides flat. Shape 8–9. Black magnetite. Surface abraded, small part broken off from the upper edge. Previously in the Guardabassi collection.
A: Aphrodite wearing a short tunic with a mantle and a bracelet on her right hand, sitting on the back of the winged Psyche, grabbing her garment with her right hand and raising a wreath with the left. Psyche, facing to the right, is dressed in a long garment. Below, Eros standing on a globus, raising a torch to burn Psyche's belly. Inscription above Aphroite's head: αχμα[γε ραρ]φερμει → unidentified voces. Inscription around Eros: π|ακαπακα|αδωναιε|βασμαχαρ|ακωιακ|ωβιαω → voces including Ἀδωναΐ, Ἰακώβ and Ἰάω.
B: Eros and Psyche embracing each other, Psyche wearing a long garment. Inscription under the ground line: ηηηησσσσσσσ|ηηηησσσσσσσ → unidentified voces.
The gem largely corresponds to the practice known as the "Sword of Dardanos" described in PGM IV 1716–1743. See also CBd-1555. (Alterations from P. Vitellozzi in Vitellozzi 2019 are based on close observation of the gem by Á. M. Nagy and P. Vitellozzi, 2019.)
Bibliography
SGG II, 110, Pe 16.
Vitellozzi 2019.
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