Yellow jasper gem: Snake-legged baboon (A) Ἰάω (B)

PP-ID:

PP-1751

Classification:

gem, magical

Collection ID:

DE_Kassel-HKH_Ge 160

Collection:

Kassel, Antikensammlung, Hessen Kassel Heritage

Collection Inventory:

Ge 160

Reference Numbers:

Capello 1702, no. 50; AGD III, no. Kassel 160; Michel 2001, no. 144; Michel, DMG, no. 36.5_1

Former Collections:

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

Material:

jasper, yellow

Dimensions:

15.2 × 12.2 × 2.6 mm

Iconography:

baboon; ithyphallic posture; shield; whip; torch, burning

Divine Names & Voces:

Ἰάω

Yellow jasper gem, side A upright oval, side B transverse oval, both flat, trapezoid section. (Shape 8–9). Large chip at top left.

Side A: Ithyphallic baboon standing to left, both feet ending in snakes and coiling to the left (Zazoff: the snakes may be modern additions). The baboon holds a round shield and a burning torch in his right hand and a whip in his left. Cock's comb (?) on his head.
Side B: Inscribed in one line: ιαω → Ἰάω.

Selected bibliography
• Capello 1702 >>, pl. 9, no. 50 (see Antiquitatum Thesaurus for details).
• Montfaucon 1719 >>, vol. 2,2, 362, pl. 154H (see Antiquitatum Thesaurus for details).
• Zazoff, AGD III >>, 237, no. 160.
• Michel 2001 >>, 124, no. 124; click here for the full-text excerpt.
• Michel, DMG >>, no. 36.5_1.