4 / 126
Haematite gem: Reaper (A) <ἰ>σχίων (B)
PP-ID:
PP-784
Classification:
gem, magical
Collection ID:
UK-BM-BEP_1867,0915.73 (G 227, EA 56227)
Collection:
London, British Museum
Collection Inventory:
1867,0915.73 (G 227, EA 56227)
Reference Numbers:
Bonner, SMA D. 118; Michel, BM, no. 426; Michel, DMG, no. 47.1.a_5; CBd, no. 784
Former Collections:
Chester, Greville John (1830–1892)
Material:
haematite (black)
Dimensions:
20 × 24 × 4 mm
Date:
4th c. AD (Michel)
Iconography:
reaper; kilt; cap; shoes, unspecified; tree; mantle; sickle; stalks of grain (3)

Haematite gem, transverse oval, both faces flat, edge rounded.  (Shape 8c–9c). Minor damage on the right edge of side A.

Side A: Reaper in kilt, cap and shoes, bending towards the right to cut grain with a sickle. There is a tree behind him on the left, his mantle hung on it (Michel: water hose?).
Side B: One line of Greek text: σχιων → <ἰ>σχίων. 'For the hips'.

Selected bibliography
• Bonner, SMA >>, click here for the full-text excerpt.
• Michel, BM >>, 266, no. 426; click here for the full-text excerpt.

Further resources on PP-784
• The British Museum Collection online

✓

Last modified:
2025.10.22 15:55:59
Permalink:
https://phoinixplatform.org/object/784
Cite this page
Zoom

Image-ID 5112

Credits Photo: Christopher A. Faraone

Rights © The Trustees of the British Museum / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Notes Side A and B of PP-784

Zoom

Image-ID 174

Credits Photo: Christopher A. Faraone

Rights © The Trustees of the British Museum / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Notes Side A of PP-784

Zoom

Image-ID 168

Credits Photo: Christopher A. Faraone

Rights © The Trustees of the British Museum / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Notes Side B of PP-784

Zoom

Image-ID 5270

Credits After Michel, BM

Rights © The Trustees of the British Museum / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Notes Side A and B of PP-784

Zoom

Image-ID 3904

Credits After Michel, BM

Rights © The Trustees of the British Museum / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Notes Side A and B of PP-784

Zoom

Image-ID 13280

Credits After Michel, BM

Rights © The Trustees of the British Museum / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Notes Side A and B of PP-784

Zoom

Image-ID 8373

Credits After Bonner, SMA

Notes Side A of PP-784

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
7 image(s) total
© 2026 All rights reserved
ABOUT US CONTACT TERMS AND PRIVACY