Yellow jasper gem: βαρχα (A) crab (B) αεηιουω (C)

PP-ID:

PP-2389

Classification:

gem, magical

Collection ID:

US-Malibu-Getty_85.AN.444.3

Collection:

Malibu, The J. Paul Getty Museum

Collection Inventory:

85.AN.444.3

Reference Numbers:

Michel, DMG, no. 33.1.a_3; CBd, no. 2389

Former Collections:

Kagan, Jonathan H. (New York)

Material:

jasper, yellow

Dimensions:

10 × 9 × 0.4 mm

Iconography:

crab

Divine Names & Voces:

vocales, αεηιουω; βαρχαι and variants

Yellow jasper gem; octagonal, both faces flat. (Shape 8–9). Intact.

Side A: Greek inscription: βαρχα → variant of the vox βαρχαι.
Side B: Crab viewed from above.
Side C: Inscription with one vowel on each face of the octagonal edge: αεηιουω → the Greek vowel series.