2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.

Details

A GRAECO-EGYPTIAN BLOODSTONE MAGICAL INTAGLIO OF ISIS AND HARPOCRATES
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
Cut with figure of kneeling Isis, with billowing cloak wearing lotiform crown, her hands placed protectively over the head of her son Harpocrates, who squats in front, wearing sun disk, the reverse and bevelled sides of intaglio with Greek inscription, in later swivel ring setting, 1.7 x 1.3 cm., 1.6 cm. across inner hoop; and a similar intaglio of Cynocephalus, the standing figure of the dog-headed ithyphallic ape holding a kantharos, the reverse with two lines of Greek reading KA*AMI/*WYO, chipped, in later ring setting, 2nd Century A.D., 1.8 x 1.3 cm., 1.7 cm. across inner hoop (2)

Provenance

Professor Rhousopoulos Collection, Athens.
Collection of James Carnegie, Earl of Southesk (1827-1905); acquired 1897 (item one) and 1880 (item two).

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

PUBLISHED:
Lady Helena Carnegie (ed.), Catalogue of the antique gems formed by James, Ninth Earl of Southesk, K.T., London, 1908, I, p. 150, no. N20 (item one) and pp. 187-188, no. N72 (item two).

For similar examples, cf. S. Michel, Magische Gemmen, München, 2001, pp. 26-27, no 11 (item one) and p. 122, no. 141 (item two).

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