Haematite gem: Rider spearing evil (A) Greek text (B)

PP-ID:

PP-4904

Classification:

gem, magical

Collection ID:

Int-Shick_Gn143

Collection:

Shick Family Collection (Europe – Israel)

Collection Inventory:

Gn143

Reference Numbers:

Franek, SoMa, no. 45

Material:

haematite (black)

Dimensions:

20.2 × 14.7 × 2.5 mm

Date:

4th c. AD (J. Franek)

Iconography:

rider spearing the evil; tunic; mantle; spear; horse; female figure; lying posture; star

Haematite gem. Upright oval, both sides flat. (Shape 8–9). Left edge of side A chipped off, surface worn.

Side A: Rider spearing a female demon. Above the horse’s head, a six-pointed star. Around the edge, a series of short dashes, possibly suggestive of an ouroboros (a motif well-attested in the Holy Rider series).
Side B: Much worn Greek text: σφρα|γισθ|[..]υ → σφραγὶς θ[εο]ῦ. ‘Seal of God’.