Steatite prism: Figures, snake, Ἰάω

PP-ID:

PP-952

Classification:

prism; pendant

Collection ID:

UK-BM-BEP__EA56467 (G 467)

Collection:

London, British Museum

Collection Inventory:

EA56467 (G 467)

Reference Numbers:

Michel, BM, no. 593; Michel, DMG, no. 2.5.b_8; CBd, no. 952

Former Collections:

Chester, Greville John (1830–1892)

Material:

steatite, green to black

Dimensions:

18.5 × 11 × 8 mm

Date:

5th–6th c. AD? (Michel)

Iconography:

figure with indistinct animal head; snake; female figure

Divine Names & Voces:

Ἰάω

Provenience:

Jerusalem

Rectangular steatite pendant. Pierced lengthwise. Chips on the corners and sides.
Acquired in Jerusalem, gift of Rev. G. J. Chester in 1886.

Side A: Animal-headed figure walking left, raising the left hand, torso shown frontally, the rest of the body in profile. The lower half of the left leg and both feet are not visible due to damage.
Side B: Roughly engraved figure; only part of the raised left hand is preserved of the upper half. (On parallel pieces, it is a female figure with both arms raised, in a long dress, with a modius on her head.)
Side C: Snake crawling upwards, facing left.
Side D: ιαω → Ἰάω.

Selected bibliography
• Michel, BM >>, 342, no. 593.; click here for the full-text excerpt.

Further resources on PP-952
• The British Museum Collection online