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 rare roman beryl hexagonal prism magical amulet.
A rare roman beryl hexagonal prism magical amulet.
2nd - 3rd century A.D.
16 x 32 x 8,5 mm
The magical faceted amulet is engraved with various inscribed lines. On the two larger faces :
ΒΑλΧΑμΧΗΒPΑΟ -> Bachaxi
YΕCΤΑΔωΝΑΙΕP -> Aδωναιε, Adonaî
ΙμωΘΑΓΙΑΔYΝΑ -> Iaô, ἁγία (saint)
ΡμΑΡCΑΒΑΟYΦΘ -> Cαβαωθ, Sabaôth
ΟΠΘΟΘΑYμΑΘΑμ -> Θŵθ, name of the egyptian god Thot and palindrome μΑΘΑμ
ΟYΧΠΗΕCμΕΝΟΧ
On the 4 edges :
μΙCΒΟΗΘΕΙμΟΙ -> we can read the expression εìς βοηθει, “Lord, help me!", we find the same inscription on a round hematite gem, coll. Seyrig, AA.Seyrig. 63
CΑΒΑωΘΟYΕΔΗω -> we read the two names of the lord Sabaôth, Yahvé
ΘΑΠΕΡΚΡΗΦΤΑω -> name of Râ, and the last letter of hebrew alphabet
ΡΒΔωΤΟΛΕΟΡω
This amulet can be attached to the group of rock crystal, amethyst, beryl, chalcedony stones using as magic tools for magicians and wizard. According to Lactantius Placidus, in Statii "Thebaida" commentum, IV.516, the magicians possessed "sphragids quas putant Dei nomina continere" (seals which the magicians believe to contain the names of God).
The unusual and rare aspect of this amulet lies not only in its polygonal structure but also in its function which differs from the other gnostic gems. The choice of a six-sided structure can also refers to the importance and power of various numbers in magic, the 6 being a multiple of 3, a particularly important number.
Large stone dimension and high quality of execution. Perforated lengthwise. Excellent state of conservation. Extremely rare.
Parallels: Kelsey Museum, inv. 0000.02.6134
Michel, 2001, p.338, n°587
Bibliography :
Mastrocinque, SGG I, p. 5
U.K., private collection 70's, in the same family since then.