Nicolo gem: Greek inscription (A) Helios (B)

PP-ID:

PP-1683

Classification:

gem, magical

Collection ID:

DE_Kassel-HKH_Ge 212

Collection:

Kassel, Antikensammlung, Hessen Kassel Heritage

Collection Inventory:

Ge 212

Reference Numbers:

Capello 1702, no. 155; AGD III, no. Kassel 212; Michel 2001, no. 49; Michel, DMG, no. 22.2.a_7; Spier, Gems, no. 185

Former Collections:

Patin, Charles (Paris, 1633 – Padua, 1693); Capello, Antonio (Venice, 1652–1729); Karl, Landgraf von Hessen-Kassel (Kassel, 1654–1730)

Material:

nicolo (blue and black)

Dimensions:

15.3 × 12.2 × 3.7 mm

Iconography:

Helios; rays (5); mantle; whip; greeting gesture; stars (2); Christogram; anchor

Divine Names & Voces:

Γαβριήλ and variants; Ἰησοῦς; Χριστός, variants

Nicolo gem; both faces upright oval and flat, trapezoid section. (Shape 8–9). Small part broken off at the bottom and missing. The inscription on the reverse is probably later than the decoration on the obverse (Michel, 2001, 54).

Side A: Christogram, monogram and anchor followed by five lines of Greek inscription: εισυυσ|χρεστυσ|γαβριε|αναναια|αμε → voces including variant of Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, Γαβριήλ, Ἀναναήλ.
Side B: Helios standing in three-quarter view to right, nude, save for a mantle draped over his right shoulder, and a crown of five rays. Left hand raised in greeting, right hand holding a whip. A six-pointed star beside both feet of the deity.

Selected bibliography
• Capello 1702 >>, pl. 25, no. 155 (see Antiquitatum Thesaurus for details).
• Montfaucon 1708 >>, 179.
• Montfaucon 1719 >>, vol. 2,2, 370, pl. 167B (see Antiquitatum Thesaurus for details).
• Zazoff, AGD III >>, 253, no. 212.
• Michel 2001 >>, 54, no. 49; click here for the full-text excerpt.
• Michel, DMG >>, no. 22.2.a_7.
• Spier, Gems >>, 185 with further literature; click here for the full-text excerpt.