Carnelian gem: Bull with bust of Helios

PP-ID:

PP-5023

Classification:

gem, astrological

Collection ID:

DE_Kassel_Ge 194

Collection:

Kassel, Antikensammlung, Hessen Kassel Heritage

Collection Inventory:

Ge 194

Reference Numbers:

Capello 1702, no. 188; AGD III, no. Kassel 194; Spadini 2026, no. 38

Former Collections:

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

Material:

carnelian, red to brown

Dimensions:

17 × 14 × 4 mm

Iconography:

bull; zodiac cycle-02, Taurus; Helios; bust; rays (5); stalks of grain (2); moon, crescent; stars (7)

Red carnelian gem. Transverse oval, slightly convex on both sides. A large piece is broken off of side B, the edge of side A is slightly damaged. Polished.

Side A: Bull on a baseline, moving to the left towards two ears of wheat. On its head, between the horns, the bust of Helios with a five-rayes solar crown. Above the bull’s back is a crescent moon, around which are seven six-pointed stars.
Side B: Undecorated.

Selected bibliography
• Capello 1702 >>, pl. 31, no. 188 (see Antiquitatum Thesaurus for details).
• Montfaucon 1719 >>, vol. 2,2, 375, pl. 172B (see Antiquitatum Thesaurus for details).
• Zazoff, AGD III >>, 247, no. 194.
• Spadini 2026 >>, 153, no. 38.

Further resources on PP-5023
• Hessen Kassel Heritage Online
• Antiquitatum Thesaurus