Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 536 12 Apr 2023
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Anonymous. 3rd-4th century AD. PB Magical Amulet (14x15mm, 2.83 g). Anguipede figure left, with the head of a rooster, holding shield and whip / IAW/ ABRA/CAΞ. Boersema, Abrasax 13. Gray surfaces with earthen deposits. VF.
This specimen belongs to a group of magical lead amulets of the late Roman period that bear various divine and angelic 'names of power' and were most likely intended to protect or bring good luck to their owner. On this example, "Abrasax" and "Iao" (= Hebrew YHWH) are named. Christos, Sabaoth, and Adonai, other names or aspects for the Christian god, also appear, as well as various angels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Suriel, and Samael. Egyptian influences also rarely appear, with the sun god Ra named on a single example and Horus-Harpocratse, Anubis, and Serapis depictedon others.
This specimen belongs to a group of magical lead amulets of the late Roman period that bear various divine and angelic 'names of power' and were most likely intended to protect or bring good luck to their owner. On this example, "Abrasax" and "Iao" (= Hebrew YHWH) are named. Christos, Sabaoth, and Adonai, other names or aspects for the Christian god, also appear, as well as various angels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Suriel, and Samael. Egyptian influences also rarely appear, with the sun god Ra named on a single example and Horus-Harpocratse, Anubis, and Serapis depictedon others.