Bertolami Fine Art - Riversdell Close 27, KT16 9JW Chertsey
Auction 86 - Glyptics and Ancient Jewelry sessione unica
Wednesday 9 December 2020 hours 14:00 (UTC +01:00)
A fine roman green and red jasper magical intaglio. Anguipes with inscriptions.
A fine roman green and red jasper magical intaglio. Anguipes with inscriptions.
2nd - 3rd century A.D.
15 x 19 x 2 mm
Frontal view of a cock-headed Anguipes in armour with snakes legs, head to right. Right hand raised high, bent in elbow and holding the solar whip meanwhile the left is holding a round shield. Inside the shield, 3 inscribed lined :
IAW
IEHI
OYω
We distinguish the name of the Jewish god : Ἰάω (Iaô)
Around the shield, two circular inscribed lines.
On the left, IAWCABAω -> Iaô Sabaoth (Lord of Armies).
Under the legs, ADωNAI -> Adonaî.
On top, on the right of the cock head, a palindrome ΑΒΛΑΝΑΘΑΝΑΛΒΑ̣ -> Ablanathanalba.
On the reverse, 3 inscribed lines :
OYXCΠΓA
CPAHΛIAHΛ --> we can reed Prasraêl or Prosoraiêl
MEIXAHΛ --> Michaêl
On the edge, two inscribed lines on each part.
Chips and little missings on the edge. Very fine detailed execution. Rare. Attractive vivid color of the stone.
See parallels :
A. Mastrocinque, Les intailles magiques du département des Monnaies, Médailles et Antiques, n° 292
Michel, 2001, pl.26, n°181
Henig, Martin, 1975, BAR Supp., pl.15, n°251
A. Mastrocinque, Sylloge Gemarum Gnosticarum, P.I pp.269-297
U.K., private collection 70's, in the same family since then.