Spier, Gems, X93.

London, British Museum, M&LA, EA 67,9–15,78 (G231); purchased from Greville J. Chester; said to be from Gaza. Red and yellow jasper, flat, irregularly shaped, 22.5 x 17.5 x 5.3. The Crucifixion. Jesus on the cross; two figures (the Virgin and St. John) stand at the foot of the cross. Uncertain (or imitation) symbols or letters above, on the edge, and on the reverse.

Published: A. de Longperier, Bulletin de la Société nationale des antiquaires de France 30 (1868), 111; A. Chabouillet, Bulletin de la Société nationale des antiquaires de France 44 (1883), 313; Kraus, Real-Encyklopädie, vol 2, 241; Leclercq, “Gemmes”, 817, no. 54, fig. 4945; DACL, vol. 3, part 2, 3048–9, fig. 3356, s.v. “Croix et crucifix” (H. Leclercq); Leclercq, Manuel, vol. 2, 369, no. 269; Bonner, SMA, 226; Bonner, “Amulets”, 336–7, no. 54; Derchain, “Die alteste Darstellung des Gekreuzigten”, 111; Smith, Jesus the Magician, 61–62 (interpreting the letters as Hebrew or Aramaic, “Jesus, M”); Finney, Invisible God, 111, figs. 5.1–5.2; BMC Magical Gems, no. 458.