Serpentine intaglio: Radiate lion-headed god
Radiate lion-headed god.
[Group label]
The use of spells, potions, fortune-telling, and other sorts of magic was widespread in the ancient world. Ordinary Romans were acutely aware of the supernatural and persisted in visiting oracles, using charms (such as these amulets), and writing curses (against those who had done them ill) right through until early Christian times.
1. Serpentine intaglio with radiate lion-headed god in Egyptian dress, inscribed on the reverse with a meaningless incantation: chuch bachuch bakachuch bazakachuch bakaxichuch bainchoooch. Gift of Miss Helen Miller Gould, 1910 (10.130.1392)
2. Onyx intaglio inscribed with a long incantation in tiny Greek letters. Bequest of Mary Anna Palmer Draper, 1915 (15.43.317)
3. Jasper intaglio with Harpocrates riding a lion with snake-headed tail. Gift of John Taylor Johnston, 1881 (81.6.294)
4. Jasper intaglio with Harpocrates seated on a lotus surrounded by the seven Greek vowels and inscribed on the reverse with the palindrome ablanathanalba. Bequest of W. Gedney Beatty, 1941 (41.160.638)
5. Jasper intaglio with the sun-god in a quadriga and the palindrome ablanathanalba, and a Mithraic figure slaughtering the bull on the reverse. Gift of John Taylor Johnston, 1881 (81.6.297)
6. Haematite intaglio with a lion-headed god flanked by various Egyptian animals. The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76 (74.51.4299)
7. Jasper intaglio with the three Graces, and on the reverse Harpocrates and a palindromic inscription. Gift of John Taylor Johnston, 1881 (81.6.308)
[Group label]
The use of spells, potions, fortune-telling, and other sorts of magic was widespread in the ancient world. Ordinary Romans were acutely aware of the supernatural and persisted in visiting oracles, using charms (such as these amulets), and writing curses (against those who had done them ill) right through until early Christian times.
1. Serpentine intaglio with radiate lion-headed god in Egyptian dress, inscribed on the reverse with a meaningless incantation: chuch bachuch bakachuch bazakachuch bakaxichuch bainchoooch. Gift of Miss Helen Miller Gould, 1910 (10.130.1392)
2. Onyx intaglio inscribed with a long incantation in tiny Greek letters. Bequest of Mary Anna Palmer Draper, 1915 (15.43.317)
3. Jasper intaglio with Harpocrates riding a lion with snake-headed tail. Gift of John Taylor Johnston, 1881 (81.6.294)
4. Jasper intaglio with Harpocrates seated on a lotus surrounded by the seven Greek vowels and inscribed on the reverse with the palindrome ablanathanalba. Bequest of W. Gedney Beatty, 1941 (41.160.638)
5. Jasper intaglio with the sun-god in a quadriga and the palindrome ablanathanalba, and a Mithraic figure slaughtering the bull on the reverse. Gift of John Taylor Johnston, 1881 (81.6.297)
6. Haematite intaglio with a lion-headed god flanked by various Egyptian animals. The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76 (74.51.4299)
7. Jasper intaglio with the three Graces, and on the reverse Harpocrates and a palindromic inscription. Gift of John Taylor Johnston, 1881 (81.6.308)
Artwork Details
- Title: Serpentine intaglio: Radiate lion-headed god
- Period: Imperial
- Date: ca. 2nd–3rd century CE
- Culture: Roman
- Medium: Serpentine
- Dimensions: Other: 1 x 1 1/4 in. (2.5 x 3.2 cm)
- Classification: Gems
- Credit Line: Gift of Miss Helen Miller Gould, 1910
- Object Number: 10.130.1392
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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