Jasper gem: Figure, Ἰάω Σαβαώθ, Ἄβρασαξ (A) Μιχαήλ (B)

PP-ID:

PP-5012

Classification:

gem, magical

Collection ID:

DE_Kassel-HKH_Ge 177

Collection:

Kassel, Antikensammlung, Hessen Kassel Heritage

Collection Inventory:

Ge 177

Reference Numbers:

AGD III, no. Kassel 177; Michel, DMG, no. 20.2.b_3

Material:

jasper, green to black

Dimensions:

23.5 × 18.5 × 4.3 mm

Iconography:

male figure; armour; ankh sign?; scepter, unspecified; stars (4)

Divine Names & Voces:

Ἰάω; Σαβαώθ; Ἀβρασάξ; Μιχαήλ and variants

Brown jasper gem. Side A is upright oval and flat, side B is transverse oval and convex; (Shape 7). Polished, intact.

Side A: Figure of a bearded man standing on a double baseline, wearing armour and holding an ankh sign (?) in his right hand and a sceptre in his left. Around the figure, Greek inscription positioned between two concentric lines: ιαωσαβαωθαβρασαξ → Ἰάω Σαβαώθ, Ἄβρασαξ.
Side B: Greek inscription between two six-pointed stars at the top and two at the bottom: μιχαηλ → Μιχαήλ.

Selected bibliography
• Zazoff, AGD III >>, 242, no. 177.
• Michel, DMG >>, no. 20.2.b_3.

Further resources on PP-5012
• Hessen Kassel Heritage Online