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CIRCA 3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
Details
A ROMAN GOLD AND BANDED AGATE MAGICAL PENDANT
CIRCA 3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
The outer edge of the bezel with a fringe of beaded wire, a large suspension loop above, one side of the flat circular stone engraved with four gods, the Castores in the center, each depicted nude, holding a spear, a star above his head, with Apollo to the right standing beside a spiral-fluted column, holding a laurel branch, and Artemis to the left holding her bow and an arrow, inscribed above Aio, perhaps a misspelling of the magical name iao, and inscribed below AEHIOUW, a vowel series used as a magical incantation to indicate the seven planets, the other side with Minerva wearing a tunic and himation, armed with a spear and a crested helmet, holding an olive branch, a ram standing beside her, on a groundline, enclosed within the serpent Ouroboros
2 in. (5 cm.) long
CIRCA 3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
The outer edge of the bezel with a fringe of beaded wire, a large suspension loop above, one side of the flat circular stone engraved with four gods, the Castores in the center, each depicted nude, holding a spear, a star above his head, with Apollo to the right standing beside a spiral-fluted column, holding a laurel branch, and Artemis to the left holding her bow and an arrow, inscribed above Aio, perhaps a misspelling of the magical name iao, and inscribed below AEHIOUW, a vowel series used as a magical incantation to indicate the seven planets, the other side with Minerva wearing a tunic and himation, armed with a spear and a crested helmet, holding an olive branch, a ram standing beside her, on a groundline, enclosed within the serpent Ouroboros
2 in. (5 cm.) long
Provenance
London Art Market, 1994.