Green serpentine prism: Animal-headed figure, ἅγιε, figure with snake, Ἰάω

PP-ID:

PP-955

Classification:

prism; pendant

Collection ID:

UK-BM-BEP_EA102876 (G 584)

Collection:

London, British Museum

Collection Inventory:

EA102876 (G 584)

Reference Numbers:

Michel, BM, no. 596; Michel, DMG, no. 2.5.b_9; CBd, no. 955

Former Collections:

Chester, Greville John (1830–1892)

Material:

serpentinite (green)

Dimensions:

20 × 15 × 12 mm

Date:

5th–6th c. AD? (Michel)

Iconography:

figure with indistinct animal head; kilt/pteryges?; snake

Divine Names & Voces:

Ἰάω

Light green serpentine pendant in a rectangular shape. Pierced lengthwise. Intact.

Side A: Animal-headed figure walking to the left, left hand raised, torso to front, rest of body in profile.
Side B: αγιε → ἅγιε. ’Holy’.
Side C: Human figure to front, in kilt (?). Arms raised, huge snake to right in the right hand. The snake and a similar figure appear on two separate sides of parallel pieces.
Side D: ιαω → Ἰάω.

Selected bibliography
• Michel, BM >>, 343, no. 596; click here for the full-text excerpt.

Further resources on PP-955
• The British Museum Collection online

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Last modified:

2025.10.22 15:58:11

Permalink:

https://phoinixplatform.org/object/955

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