Talismans - Magical gem: Ouroboros enclosing Greek inscription and triple-lined pattern (A) Ἰάω (B)

Magical gem: Ouroboros enclosing Greek inscription and triple-lined pattern (A) Ἰάω (B)

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CBd-Number:

CBd-851

ID-Number:

GB-BM-MMEu_G 1986,5-1,154

Collection:

GB_London, The British Museum

Inventory:

G 1986,5-1,154

References:

Michel, BM, no. 493

Material:

serpentinite (green)

Dimensions:

38 x 28.5 x 5 mm

Dating:

4th–6th c. AD? (Michel)

Iconography:

Ouroboros; star; concentric motifs

Divine Names & Voces:

Ἰάω; Ἀθερνεκλησιχ and variants; οροννωφριος; Ἀρχενθεχθα

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A: Ouroboros with head in profile to right, enclosing an octagonal construction with triple lines projecting from the centre (four diagonally, two horizontally). In the centre, at the top, a six-pointed star, below, two hemispheres. Above the image: ιαω → Ἰάω. Inscription around, in two lines, with outer line beginning on the left in the middle: ασθερνεκλησοσοροννωφριοσοσομαραρχενθεχθα → voces including variant of Ἀθερνεκλησιχ, οροννωφριος, Ἀρχενθεχθα, inner line also beginning on the left in the middle: ιουχοορεπεπνυθασμεα – containing names and epitheta for Aphrodite/Hathor and Horus.
B: Inscription upside down: ιαω → Ἰάω.

Bibliography
Michel, BM on CBd-851
The British Museum Collection database on CBd-851

Last modified: 2015-01-13 14:00:14

Link:cbd.mfab.hu/cbd/851

CITE THIS PAGE

CBd-851. 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/851 on 24-04-2025.