Magical gem: Figure with large serpent (A) names of archangels (B)
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CBd-Number:
CBd-823
ID-Number:
GB-BM-MMEu_G 1986,5-1,76
Collection:
GB_London, The British Museum
Inventory:
G 1986,5-1,76
References:
Michel, BM, no. 465; Spier, Gems, no. 630; Michel, DMG, no. 2.5. a_3
Former Collections:
Ogden Collection
Material:
steatite, green to black
Dimensions:
33 x 4 mm
Dating:
5th c. AD (Michel)
Iconography:
figure, male; snake; scepter, unspecified
Divine Names & Voces:
Ἰάω; Μιχαήλ; Γαβριήλ and variants; Οὐριήλ; Χερουβίμ; Οὐθριήλ?; Χριστός
A: Circle enclosing a human figure (on the right), to front, head in profile to left, right hand raised and stretched out, left hand resting on a staff (Moses?). Facing him, a large, rearing snake (on the left), its head damaged by the hole bored through the stone. Behind the snake, a diamond-patterned semi-circle. In the free field on the right, from top to bottom: ιαω → Ἰάω. Below the figure: χι → Χ(ρ)ι(στός).
B: Inscription in seven lines:
ια[.]|μιχα|ουριη[.]|ουθριη[.]|γαβριηλ||χερουβ|ιν → Ἰά[ω], Μιχα[ήλ], Οὐριή[λ], Οὐθριή[λ], Γαβριήλ, Χερουβί{ν}<μ>.
Bibliography
Michel, BM on CBd-823
Spier, Gems on CBd-823
The British Museum Collection database on CBd-823
Last modified: 2017-01-08 21:09:41
Link:cbd.mfab.hu/cbd/823
CITE THIS PAGE
CBd-823. 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/823 on 22-10-2024.
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