Magical gem: Harpocrates on the lotus (A) Ἀβρασάξ (B)
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CBd-Number:
CBd-95
ID-Number:
GB-Cambridge, Fitzwilliam_B 316 (CM)
Collection:
GB_Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Museum
Inventory:
B 316 (CM)
References:
Henig, Cambridge, no. 495; Michel, DMG, no. 19.1.a_9
Material:
jasper, green to black
Dimensions:
14.5 x 11 x 2 mm (lower face 12 x 8 mm)
Dating:
2nd–3rd c. AD (Henig)
Iconography:
Harpocrates seated with knees drawn up; Harpocrates sitting on lotus flower; flail; gesture, hand raised to mouth; plant: lotus buds (2); crown, lotus
Divine Names & Voces:
Ἀβρασάξ
Description: Upright oval, both faces flat. Chipped at the edges. Green jasper.
A: Harpocrates sitting nude with knees drawn up, to left, upon a lotus flower with two buds. Head topped with the lotus-crown. Right hand raised to mouth, left hand bent in elbow and holding a flail.
B: Inscription in two lines: αβρα|σαξ → Ἀβρασάξ.
A praxis known from a papyrus (PGM LXI 1–38) specifies that love charms had to be incised with the image of Harpocrates on a lotus flower and the magical name Abraxas. Pieces with the Harpocrates-scheme used as love charms: CBd-533, CBd-534.
Bibliography
Henig 1994, 223-34, no. 495.
Michel, DMG, 19.1.a_9
Last modified: 2019-12-14 10:30:22
Link:cbd.mfab.hu/cbd/95
CITE THIS PAGE
CBd-95. 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/95 on 01-12-2024.
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