Black jasper prism: Figures, snake, Ἰάω

PP-ID:

PP-1261

Classification:

prism; pendant

Collection ID:

US-Batimore-WAM_42.731

Collection:

Baltimore, Walters Art Museum

Collection Inventory:

42.731

Reference Numbers:

Bonner, SMA D. 359; Michel, DMG, no. 2.5.b_1

Material:

jasper, green to black

Dimensions:

20 × 11 × 9 mm

Iconography:

female figure; modius; snake; figure with indistinct animal head

Divine Names & Voces:

Ἰάω

Black jasper pendant with a rectangular shape. Pierced lengthwise. Intact.

Side A: Roughly engraved figure with raised arms; modius (?) on head. (On parallel pieces, it is a female figure in a long dress with a modius on her head.)
Side B: ιαω → Ἰάω.
Side C: Animal-headed figure walking left, raising the right hand, torso shown frontally, the rest of the body in profile.
Side D: Snake crawling upwards, facing right.

Selected bibliography
• Bonner, SMA >>, D. 359; click here for the full-text excerpt.
• Michel, DMG >>, no. 2.5.b_1.