Talismans - Magical gem: Six-armed figure, Greek inscription (A) crowned baboon (B)

Magical gem: Six-armed figure, Greek inscription (A) crowned baboon (B)

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CBd-Number:

CBd-987

ID-Number:

GB-BM-MMEu_G 45, EA 56045

Collection:

GB_London, The British Museum

Inventory:

G 45 (EA 56045)

References:

Michel, BM, no. 628; Michel, DMG, no. 21.2.b_7; Chifletius–Macarius, no. XIV 57; Chifletius–Macarius, no. XIV 58

Former Collections:

Towneley Collection

Material:

carnelian (colour unspecified)

Dimensions:

26 x 16.5 x 5 mm

Dating:

17th c. AD (Michel)

Iconography:

clothing, unspecified; shoes, unspecified; torch, burning; snakes (2); animal: cynocephalus; crown, lotus?; torches (4); scepter, unspecified; figure, with multiple arms

Divine Names & Voces:

Ἰάω, variants; αμοιριμοιρριομιριομα, palindrome

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A: Six-armed, bearded figure to front, upper and middle arms holding burning torches, lower arms holding snakes. Three knives or crosses (?) pierced into the eyes and the skull. The figure wears a short robe and shoes. In the free field under the figure, inscription in mirror writing in three lines: αμοιριμορριομιρ|ριομαιιηζιζζζοι|ζυβευμοζ → voces including αμοιριμοιρριομιριομα-palindrome.
B: Cynocephalus in three-quarter view to right, one paw raised and holding a staff (or palm branch?). On the head, a crown (lotus?). In the free field around the baboon, letters in mirror writing: αιω → variant of Ἰάω.

The gem may have been designed after two drawings in Chifletius–Macarius, Abrasax, see CBd-2830 and CBd-2829. For a similar design on a gem in the Skoluda Collection, see CBd-1733.

Bibliography
Michel, BM on CBd-987
Michel, DMG, 359, 21.2.b_7, pl. 92, 628.
http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_details.aspx?objectid=61797&partid=1&searchText=Michel+2001+628&fromADBC=ad&toADBC=ad&numpages=10&orig=%2fresearch%2fsearch_the_collection_database.aspx&currentPage=1" target="_blank">The British Museum Collection database on CBd-987

Last modified: 2017-08-27 22:57:34

Link:cbd.mfab.hu/cbd/987

CITE THIS PAGE

CBd-987. 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/987 on 13-01-2025.