Heliotrope gem: Donkey-headed figure with mummy (A) voces (B-C)

PP-ID:

PP-4297

Classification:

gem, magical

Collection ID:

DE-München-Münzsammlung_2903

Collection:

München, Staatliche Münzsammlung

Collection Inventory:

2903 (A. 2354)

Reference Numbers:

Michel, DMG, no. 39.6.a_2; CBd, no. 4297

Material:

jasper, green and red

Dimensions:

18 × 14.2 × 5.2 mm

Iconography:

Seth; donkey-headed figure; armour; mantle; shoes: boots; kneeling posture; Osiris; mummy; mummy wrappings; wig; lying posture; palm branch; sa sign

Divine Names & Voces:

Ἰάω; voces, unidentified; Βαϊνχωωωχ; αρβαθ and variants

Green and red jasper (heliotrope); upright oval, both faces flat. (Shape 8–9). Minor chips on the edge.

Side A: Donkey-headed figure (Seth) wearing armour, mantle thrown over his left shoulder, and boots. The half-kneeling figure lifts both arms, holding a mummy (Osiris) above his head, the mummy is wrapped in bandage, wigged head to the left. In the free field on the left: palm branch, sa-sign (pace Brandt: ankh), and indistinct object (branch?). Nick West interprets the half-kneeling figure as Seth, not Anubis, see West 2011 >>, 140–141.
Side B: Seven lines of Greek inscription: φε|νμεν|τηωερ|τανχνο|νφιβαιν|χωωω|χ → voces including Βαϊνχωωωχ.
Side C: Greek inscription running around the edge: αρβαθι[-]ω → αρβαθ Ἰάω.

Selected bibliography
• Brandt, AGD I >>, no. 2903.