Orange carnelian gem: Aries and caduceus; primus

PP-ID:

PP-4714

Classification:

gem, astrological

Collection ID:

US-NY-MET-GRA_81.6.43

Collection:

New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Department of Greek and Roman Art

Collection Inventory:

81.6.43

Reference Numbers:

Spadini forthcoming, no. 3

Former Collections:

Johnston, John Taylor (1820–1893)

Material:

carnelian, yellow to orange

Dimensions:

13.1 × 9.92

Date:

250–200 BC

Iconography:

zodiac cycle-01, Aries; ram; caduceus; globus

Orange carnelian gem; transverse oval and flat, edge rounded. (Shape 8c). Chipped at the top.

Side A: Ram jumping to the left, head turned back, placing its right front paw on a globe decorated with the equinoctial band. Behind its body, caduceus. Latin inscription around, beginning at top left, next to the ram's tail: Primus, 'First'.
Side B: Undecorated.

Selected bibliography
• Richter 1920 >>, 81, no. 111.
• Spadini forthcoming >>, no. 3.

Further resources on PP-4714
• The MET Collections

F. Spadini, 2025
w/ Phoinix-team

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Last modified:

2025.09.10 15:42:17

Permalink:

https://phoinixplatform.org/object/4714

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