Heliotrope gem: Anguipes (A) Greek inscription (B-C)

PP-ID:

PP-4998

Classification:

gem, magical

Collection ID:

DE-Kassel-HKH_Ge 138

Collection:

Kassel, Antikensammlung, Hessen Kassel Heritage

Collection Inventory:

Ge 138

Reference Numbers:

Capello 1702, no. 97; AGD III, no. Kassel 138

Former Collections:

Patin, Charles (Paris, 1633 – Padua, 1693); Capello, Antonio (Venice, 1652–1729); Karl, Landgraf von Hessen-Kassel (Kassel, 1654–1730)

Material:

jasper, green and red

Dimensions:

13.5 × 10.5 × 2.3 mm

Iconography:

Anguipes, cock-headed; shield; whip

Logoi:

Ἀβρασάξ; Ἰάω

Side A upright oval, side B transverse oval, both sides flat. (Shape 8–9). Side A severely damaged at the top and bottom, the left edge is polished, not all letters are visible. Heliotrope.

Side A: Frontal view of the cock-headed Anguipes in armour. The right hand is bent upward, probably holding a whip (invisible due to damage), there is a round shield in the left hand. Severely damaged inscription around the figure. On the left edge, traces of letters (α? τ?). On the right: φρου β[---]. By the left side of the figure, below the shield: λ.

Side B: βρασαξ | βραχιι → Ἄβρασαξ, unidentified vox.

Side C: ευμι → unidentified vox.

Selected bibliography
• Capello 1702 >>, pl. 16, no. 97 (see Antiquitatum Thesaurus for details).
• Montfaucon 1719 >>, vol. 2,2, pl. 147D (see Antiquitatum Thesaurus for details).
• Zazoff, AGD III >>, 229, no. 138.