The CBd
 
 
Magical pendant: Aphrodite in naiskos (A) Horus as child sitting in papyrus boat (B)
CBd-Number:
CBd-533
ID-Number:
GB-BM-MMEu_G 139, EA 56139
Collection:
GB_London, The British Museum
Inventory:
G 139 (EA 56139)
References:
Michel, BM, no. 133; Michel, DMG, no. 19.4.e_7
Former Collections:
Praun and Mertens Collection; Eastwood, George
Material:
haematite (black)
Dimensions:
39 x 26.5 x 6 mm
Dating:
3rd c. AD (Michel)
Iconography:
Aphrodite anadyomene; plant: lotus buds (2); snakes (3); flail; bird: ibises (3); side-lock of youth; crown, Isis-; mirror; stars (7); vessel: hydria; naiskos; bird: falcons (3); animal: goats (3); boat, papyrus; Harpocrates sitting on lotus flower; Harpocrates seated with one leg bent in knee; gesture, hand raised to mouth; Erotes (3)
Divine Names & Voces:
Ἀβρασάξ; Ἰάω; αρρωριφρασις and variants

A: Nude Aphrodite standing in three-quarter view in a naiskos. She is wringing out her hair and wearing an Isis-crown on her head. On the left a small winged figure (Eros) standing to right and holding a mirror towards the goddess. On the right a jar at the left foot of the goddess. Above: two winged, flying Erotes holding a wreath. Next to the columns vertical inscriptions. On the left from top to down, on the right from bottom to top: αρωριφ|ρασισ → variant of αρρωριφρασις.
B: In the middle of the pendant Harpocrates sitting in frontal view on a lotus flower in a papyrus boat; under the flower two pairs of horizontal stalks with lotus buds. The god’s left leg is bent in knee, 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 a crown. Around: four eight-pointed stars, under the boat three more eight-pointed stars. Around Harpocrates triads of animals: scarabs; crowned falcons; crocodiles; uraeus snakes; ibises and goats. In the free space inscription in two lines: ιαωα|βρασαξ → Ἰάω, Ἀβρασάξ. 
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. The Aphrodite-scene on the obverse of the pendant supports this interpretation. A gemstone with the Horus-scheme that was presumably also a love charm: CBd-534.

Bibliography
Michel, BM on CBd-533
The British Museum Collection database on CBd-533

Last modified: 2020-12-31 12:36:44
Link:cbd.mfab.hu/cbd/533
CITE THIS PAGE
CBd-533. 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/533 on 16-09-2024.

Image-ID 6955

Credits Photo: Christopher A. Faraone

Rights © Trustees of the British Museum

Image-ID 6956

Credits Photo: Christopher A. Faraone

Rights © Trustees of the British Museum

Image-ID 6959

Credits Photo: Christopher A. Faraone

Rights © Trustees of the British Museum

Image-ID 6957

Credits Photo: Christopher A. Faraone

Rights © Trustees of the British Museum

Image-ID 6958

Credits Photo: Christopher A. Faraone

Rights © Trustees of the British Museum

Image-ID 6960

Credits Photo: Christopher A. Faraone

Rights © Trustees of the British Museum

Image-ID 1101

Credits From Michel, BM

Rights © Trustees of the British Museum

Image-ID 2234

Rights © Trustees of the British Museum

Image-ID 599

Credits From Michel, BM

Rights © Trustees of the British Museum

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