Jasper gem: Zodiac signs around female figure
Dark green jasper. Upright oval with trapezoid section, both sides flat. (Shape 8). Intact, with minor damage on the edge; carefully polished.
Side A: In the centre, a female figure is standing on a pedestal, head turned to the right. She is flanked by two columns, each with a bird on it. The female figure is stroking the bird on the column to her right and holding a small amphora (or a scroll?) in her left hand. Below the central figure, three crabs with claws facing upwards; beneath them, a lizard seen from above, facing right. Surrounding the central figure is a compartmentalized zodiacal ring. Starting at the top and moving clockwise: Taurus (in the charging position, phallus visible); Gemini (two human figures facing each other while holding hands); Cancer (crab with three legs on each side, claws facing Leo); Leo (in profile, looking towards Cancer); Virgo (human figure looking left, hands in a gesture of adoration); Libra (slightly bent human figure looking left, holding an object with two plates); Scorpio (four legs on each side, claws facing Sagittarius); Sagittarius (theriomorphic figure with a horse's head (?) holding a bow, facing Scorpio); Capricorn (facing Aquarius); Aquarius (bearded man looking right, holding a hemispherical vase with both hands); Pisces (two fish head-to-tail); Aries (unidentified quadruped facing Taurus).
Side B: Plain.
F. Spadini, 2024
Probably post-antique, see Spadini /comm. 2025/ on PP-4824.
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