Jasper gem in ancient gold ring: Anguipes (A) Ἀβρασάξ, Σαβαώθ (B)

PP-ID:

PP-1201

Classification:

gem, magical; ring

Collection ID:

UK-BM-BEP_1981,0201.13

Collection:

London, British Museum

Collection Inventory:

1981,0201.13

Reference Numbers:

CBd, no. 1201

Material:

jasper, green and red; gold

Dimensions:

15 × 18 mm

Date:

2nd–3rd c. AD (Johns–Potter)

Iconography:

Anguipes, cock-headed; armour; whip; shield with Ἰάω

Divine Names & Voces:

Ἀβρασάξ; Ἰάω; Σαβαώθ

Provenience:

Thetford

Upright oval, both faces flat. Shape 8–9. Heliotrope, chipped at the top. Mounted in an ancient gold ring.

Found at Gallows Hill near Thetford, Norfolk in 1979, as part of a late-Roman hoard of gold jewellery and silver tableware. For dating the burial of the treasure to the 5th century AD, perhaps between 420–440, see Swift 2024.

Side A: Cock-headed Anguipes in armour seen from the front, head turned to the right. There is a whip in the raised right hand of the figure, the left hand is hidden behind a round shield, which is inscribed in Greek: ιαω → Ἰάω.
Side B: Greek insciption in four lines: αβ|ρασα|ξσαβ|αωθ → Ἀβρασάξ, Σαβαώθ.

Selected bibliography
• M. Henig in Johns–Potter 1983 >>, 30–31, 88, no. 13 with fig. 13.

Further resources on PP-1201
• The British Museum Collection online