Talismans - Magical gem: Pregnant woman, uterus with key (A) octopus-like uterus (B)

Magical gem: Pregnant woman, uterus with key (A) octopus-like uterus (B)

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CBd-Number:

CBd-758

ID-Number:

GB-BM-MMEu_G 1986,5-1,32

Collection:

GB_London, The British Museum

Inventory:

G 1986,5-1,32

References:

Michel, BM, no. 387; Michel, DMG, no. 54.4.a_2

Former Collections:

Ogden Collection

Material:

haematite (black)

Dimensions:

16 x 13.5 x 3 mm

Dating:

3rd c. AD (Michel)

Iconography:

uterus, in the form of a cupping vessel; uterus, octopus-like; key (7-bitted); figure, female, pregnant; Ouroboros; stool, birthing; gesture, childbirth

Divine Names & Voces:

Ἰάω; voces, unidentified; ορωριουθ; ορωριουθ, variants

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A: Pregnant woman squatting naked over a birthing stool, which has arm-rests ending in animal-heads (ram-heads?). The woman’s hands are clasped above the head, her long hair falling on the shoulders. Below, the symbol of uterus with a seven-bitted key. Inscription on the uterus: ιαω → Ἰάω. Below the uterus: ιαω → Ἰάω. The scene is encircled by an Ouroboros. Inscription around in the free field, beginning at bottom left: οροριουθ[- - - ]μιρδι → voces including οροριουθ and unidentified voces.
B: Turned upside down. Octopus-like uterus, with inscription around, beginning at top right: ορωριουθαεηιουω → voces including οροριουθ and the Greek vowel series.

Bibliography
Michel, BM on CBd-758
The British Museum Collection database on CBd-758

Last modified: 2019-11-03 20:47:25

Link:cbd.mfab.hu/cbd/758

CITE THIS PAGE

CBd-758. 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/758 on 09-03-2025.