Carnelian gem: Characteres, voces (A) figure tied to a pillar with griffin (B)
Orange-red carnelian gem, side A transverse oval, side B upright oval. Intact.
Side A: Ouroboros enclosing six lines of Greek letters and symbols, including in line four three oversized symbols (ZZ*) often found on such carnelian gems.
Side B: Naked man, facing right, bound to a column of his own height, with his hands tied behind his back. The column is surmounted by a griffin with its left paw on a wheel. Above the wheel, a crescent moon. Greek text along three sides, beginning from the top right corner: φυλαξον ισι αδαν → φύλαξον Ἰσιάδαν. 'Protect Isias!'
Ch. A. Faraone (based on close observation of the piece in 2023)
w/ Phoinix-team, 2025
Unpublished.
Commentary
• Ch. A. Faraone 2025. The imagery on the obverse recalls that of Eros bound before the column of Nemesis usually found on gems designed for erotic coercion (see e.g., PP-1794), but the inscription is clearly protective.
Zoom
