Magical gem: Snake-headed composite figure (A) Σουμαρθα Φηλιξ Ἀβραξάς (B)
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CBd-Number:
CBd-575
ID-Number:
GB-BM-MMEu_G 15, EA 56015
Collection:
GB_London, The British Museum
Inventory:
G 15 (EA 56015)
References:
Bonner 1951, no. 41; Michel, BM, no. 177; Michel, DMG, no. 41.6.g_1
Former Collections:
Hamilton Collection
Material:
lapis lazuli (blue)
Dimensions:
18 x 15.5 x 2 mm
Dating:
ancient/modern? (Michel)
Iconography:
Pantheos; figure, snake-headed; scarab; figure, with multiple arms; weapon: daggers (2); scepters (2); trident?; solar disk
Divine Names & Voces:
σουμαρτα and variants; Ἀβραξάς
A: Composite Pantheos figure with head and neck of a cobra, the body of a scarab and human legs and feet. Uraeus-head crowned with the sun disk. Feet to right. Upper arms hold scepters (in the left one: a trident), lower arms daggers. Double pairs of wings projecting below the arms, at the height of the hips.
B: Inscribed in four lines: σουμαρ|θα|φηλιξ|αβραξασ → Σουμαρθα Φηλιξ Ἀβραξάς. The inscription suggests that the piece was used as a protective amulet: 'Soumarta (protect) Felix, Abraxas' (S. Michel).
Bibliography
Bonner 1951 on CBd-575
Michel, BM on CBd-575
The British Museum Collection database on CBd-575
Last modified: 2017-06-06 21:28:30
Link:cbd.mfab.hu/cbd/575
CITE THIS PAGE
CBd-575. 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/575 on 16-09-2024.
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