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magical gem
;
intaglio
Object Type
magical gem
intaglio
Museum number
1986,0501.25
Description
Magical gem; intaglio; pendant; black-brown serpentine; oval. Side A: Ouroboros enclosing uterus with key and three deities above (from left to right): unrecognizable deity, Chnoubis, and Osiris as mummy. In the free space: fragments of indecipherable letters. Around, outside the Ouroboros: fragments of a inscription. Side B: Fragments of an inscription in three lines:
Cultures/periods
Late Roman
Production date
4thC-5thC
Production place
Made in:
Mediterranean
(eastern Mediterranean)
Materials
serpentine
(black-brown)
Technique
engraved
Dimensions
Height:
32 millimetres
Thickness:
10 millimetres
Width:
26 millimetres
$Inscriptions
Bibliographic references
Michel 2001 / Die Magischen Gemmen im Britischen Museum
(412)
Bonner 1950 / Studies in magical amulets, chiefly Graeco-Egyptian
CBd / The Campbell Bonner Magical Gems Database Online
(108)
(http://classics.mfab.hu/talismans/cbd/108)
Location
Not on display
Condition
chipped at top; image side A strongly damaged
Subjects
myth/legend
ancient egyptian deity
reptile
death
symbol
Associated names
Representation of:
Chnoumis
Representation of:
Osiris
Representation of:
Ouroboros
Acquisition name
Purchased from:
Jack Ogden Ltd
Acquisition date
1986
Department
Britain, Europe and Prehistory
Registration number
1986,0501.25