Heliotrope gem: Solar child on lotus (A) Ἰάω Σαβαώθ Ἄβρασαξ (B)

PP-ID:

PP-5001

Classification:

gem, magical

Collection ID:

DE_Kassel-HKH_Ge 149

Collection:

Kassel, Antikensammlung, Hessen Kassel Heritage

Collection Inventory:

Ge 149

Reference Numbers:

Capello 1702, no. 194; AGD III, no. Kassel 149; Michel, DMG, no. 19.1.b_3

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:

11.8 × 9 × 3 mm

Iconography:

solar child sitting on lotus flower; solar child seated with legs extended; lotus crown; side-lock of youth; flail; hand raised to mouth; lotus flower; lotus buds (2)

Divine Names & Voces:

Ἀβρασάξ; Ἰάω; Σαβαώθ

Dark green jasper with red flecks (heliotrope). Side A upright oval, side B transverse oval, both faces flat, trapezoid section. (Shape 8). Intact.

Side A: Solar child on a lotus flower with two buds, seated to the right, with both feet dangling down. His head is topped with a lotus crown, side-lock of youth visible. There is a flail in his right hand, the left is raised to the mouth.
Side B: Greek inscription in three lines: ιαωσ|αβαωθα|βρασαξ → Ἰάω Σαβαώθ Ἄβρασαξ.

Selected bibliography
• Capello 1702 >>, pl. 32, no. 194 (see Antiquitatum Thesaurus for details).
• Montfaucon 1719 >>, vol. 2,2, 365, pl. 158M (see Antiquitatum Thesaurus for details).
• Zazoff, AGD III >>, 233, no. 149.
• Michel, DMG >>, no. 19.1.b_3.