Heliotrope gem: Polymorphic deity (A) solar child on lotus (B)
Both sides upright oval and flat. (Shape 8–9). Green jasper with red spots (heliotrope), damaged at the upper and left edges of side A.
Side A: Polymorphic deity standing to front, feet to the left, on an Ouroboros snake that forms a cartouche enclosing notches to indicate animals. Four animal protomes project from the sides of the head, which is topped by an atef crown. The deity has two pairs of wings and arms: the upper arms – in line with the top of the upper wings and almost at the height of the neck – are stretched to the sides. There is a sceptre in his hands on the right, an inverted torch in the lower left hand, and a key (?) in the upper one. The feet are jackal-headed, the knees snake-headed. A bird’s tail and a crocodile’s tail project from the hips to the right of the body.
Side B: The solar child sitting nude with knees drawn up upon a lotus flower without buds. The head of the figure is topped with seven rays, the right hand is raised to the mouth, the left holds a club (?). There is a falcon below the lotus chalice.
Side C: Greek inscription: σερουταμο (letters placed with feet towards side B, running counter-clockwise), ι αμαμαμα ια F (letters placed with feet towards side A, running clockwise) → unidentified voces.
Selected bibliography
• Weiss 2007 >>, 321–322, no. 673.
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