Talismans - Magical gem: Harpocrates in papyrus boat, triads of animals (A) χαβραχ-logos (B)

Magical gem: Harpocrates in papyrus boat, triads of animals (A) χαβραχ-logos (B)

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CBd-Number:

CBd-527

ID-Number:

GB-BM-MMEu_G 1986,5-1,60

Collection:

GB_London, The British Museum

Inventory:

G 1986,5-1,60

References:

Michel, BM, no. 127; Michel, DMG, no. 19.4.a_2

Former Collections:

Ogden Collection

Material:

haematite (black)

Dimensions:

19 x 14 x 3 mm

Dating:

3rd c. AD (Michel)

Iconography:

gesture, hand raised to mouth; crown, unspecified; flail; Harpocrates sitting on lotus flower; plant: lotus buds (2); side-lock of youth; bird: falcons (3); animal: crocodiles (3); snakes (3); animal: goats (3); scarabs (3); star; moon, crescent; solar disk; Harpocrates seated with knees drawn up; boat, papyrus

Logoi:

χαβραχ-logos

A: Harpocrates sitting to left on a lotus flower in the middle of a boat; under the flower two lotus stalks with buds. The god’s knees are drawn up, his right hand raised to his mouth, his left holds a flail. A long side-lock of youth is falling to his neck, on the top of his head: the solar disk. Above the god an eight-pointed star and a crescent. Around Harpocrates triads of animals: scarabs; falcons wearing crowns; crocodiles; uraei and goats.
B: Inscription in seven lines: χαβρα|χφνεσ|χηρφιχ|ροφνυ|ρωφω||χωβ|ωχ → χαβραχ-logos.
A praxis known from a papyrus (PGM LXI 1-38) specifies that love charms had to be incised with the image of Horus on a lotus flower and the magical name Abraxas. Pieces with the Horus-scheme used as love charms: CBd-533, CBd-534.

Bibliography
Michel, BM on CBd-527
The British Museum Collection database on CBd-527

Last modified: 2020-12-31 12:29:29

Link:cbd.mfab.hu/cbd/527

CITE THIS PAGE

CBd-527. 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/527 on 24-04-2025.