2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.

Details

A GRAECO-EGYPTIAN BLOODSTONE MAGICAL INTAGLIO WITH LIZARD
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
Cut with a figure of a lizard and crescent moon, engraved with Greek letters *HPA, the reverse with two lines of Greek inscription reading KAN*E/*OV*E ("the eye is healed"), in later swivel ring setting, 1.6 x 1.3 cm., 1.7 cm. across inner hoop; and a similar intaglio with cock-headed anguipede, holding shield and whip(?), with star to the right of its head, letters IAW below, the reverse with four lines of letters reading, AK/PA/GA/Z, in later ring setting, 2nd-3rd Century A.D., 2.2 x 1.3 cm., 1.8 cm. across inner hoop (2)

Provenance

Item one: Professor Rhousopoulos collection, Athens.
Collection of James Carnegie, Earl of Southesk (1827-1905); acquired 1880.

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:
Item one: Lady Helena Carnegie (ed.), Catalogue of the collection of antique gems formed by James, Ninth Earl of Southesk, K.T., London, 1908, I, p. 194, no. N82.

Item one: the lizard was considered to be the talismanic guardian of the eyes and the protector against ophthalmia. For a similar example, cf. S. Michel, Magische Gemmen, München, 2001, p. 86, no. 92 and pp. 59-63, nos. 55-60 for item two.

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