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Lot 122

A Roman yellow jasper magic gem

Antiquities
28 November 2019, 10:30 GMT
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £1,083.75 inc. premium

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A Roman yellow jasper magic gem
Circa 3rd-4th Century A.D.
The flat upper surface with an eleven line inscription of Greek magical text, the underside bevelled, 3cm wide

Footnotes

Provenance:
Dr P. Villari collection, acquired on the Dutch market ca. 2000.
Anonymous sale; Bonhams, London, 6 October 2010, lot 298.
Private collection, UK, acquired from the above sale.

The inscriptions of these so-called "magic gems" are very often composed of magical words and names combined to invoke a deity or group of supernatural entities. Many such inscriptions unfortunately defy modern translation.

Additional information

Bid now on these items

An Anatolian marble idol
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