Haematite gem: Lion-headed figure with tabula (A) στομάχου, character (B)

PP-ID:

PP-1709

Classification:

gem, magical

Collection ID:

DE-Hamburg-Skoluda_M037

Collection:

Hamburg, Skoluda Collection

Collection Inventory:

M037

Reference Numbers:

Michel 2001, no. 94; Michel, DMG, no. 41.6.e_3; CBd, no. 1709

Material:

haematite (black)

Dimensions:

27.1 × 17.8 × 3.6 mm

Date:

3rd–4th c. AD (Michel)

Iconography:

lion-headed figure; armour; tabula; stars (2); palm branches (2)

Divine Names & Voces:

Ἰάω

Haematite gem; polished. Both faces upright oval and flat, edge rounded. (Shape 8c–9c). Intact.

Side A: Triple-winged lion-headed figure standing in armour, head turned to the left. The figure raises both arms and holds a tabula high above his head, bearing a Greek inscription in one line: ιαω → Ἰάω. A palm branch is placed to the left and right of the figure, beside the legs; next to the arms: two eight-pointed stars.
Side B: Three lines of Greek inscription followed by a character: στο|μα|χου → στομάχου. 'For the stomach!'.

Description based on close observation of the piece by Á. M. Nagy, 2025

Selected bibliography
• Michel 2001 >>, 88–89, no. 94; click here for a full-text excerpt.
• Michel, DMG >>, no. 41.6.e_3.

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Last modified:

2025.09.09 16:27:07

Permalink:

https://phoinixplatform.org/object/1709

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