Bertolami Fine Art - Piazza Lovatelli 1, 00186 Roma
ASTA 267 - GLITTICA ASTA 267 - GLITTICA
Friday 7 July 2023 hours 12:30 (UTC +00:00)
A ROMAN GNOSTIC RED JASPER INTAGLIO. SEATED HARPOCRATES ON A LOTUS WITH INSCRIPTIONS.
A ROMAN GNOSTIC RED JASPER INTAGLIO. SEATED HARPOCRATES ON A LOTUS WITH INSCRIPTIONS.
2nd-3rd century A.D.
12x16x2 mm
Seated right on a lotus with 2 buds on a groundline. The head surmounted by the solar disc, hand raised to the mouth and flagellum. Around " Χω/ΒωΧ ". Around, inscription "ΧΑΒΡΑΧ/ΦΝΕCΧΗΡ/ΦΙΧΡΟΦΝΥ/ΡωΦω". The inscription is a variation of the χαβραχ-logos. A praxis known from a papyrus (PGM LXI 1-38) specifies that love charms had to be incised with the image of Horus on a lotus flower and the magical name Abraxas. Pieces with the Horus-scheme used as love charms. On the backside, inscription " ΙΑΗΙΕΗ/ΙΟΥωΗΙΗ". This a plinths of vowels which were to multiply the strength of the magic words.
See: A.Mastrocinque, Les intailles magiques du Departe;emt des Monnaies Medailles et Antiques, Paris, n11 and 30.
Provenance: Giorgio Sangiorgi (1886-1965), Rome, acquired and brought to Switzerland, late 1930s; thence by continuous descent to the current owner. This lot is sold under temporary import status.