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Engraved Gem (Obverse (main view))
Unknown
The J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles, United States
Octagonal gem with flat surfaces on both sides. On the obverse, a crab, seen from above, with pincers extended and eyestalks protruding forward. On reverse, inscribed in Greek: ΒΑΡΧΑ, part of a magical word [ΒΑΡΧΑI] often incised on the reverse of crab motif gems. On facets, with one letter per side and with one side blank: Α/Ε/Η/Ι/[Ο?]/Λ/Μ.
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Details
- Title: Engraved Gem (Obverse (main view))
- Creator: Unknown
- Date Created: 2nd–4th century A.D.
- Location Created: Afghanistan; Mediterranean
- Physical Dimensions: 0.9 × 1 × 0.4 cm (5/16 × 3/8 × 1/8 in.)
- Type: Gem
- External Link: Find out more about this object on the Museum website.
- Medium: Yellow jasper
- Terms of Use: Open Content
- Number: 85.AN.444.3
- Culture: Roman
- Credit Line: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California, Gift of Jonathan H. Kagan
- Creator Display Name: Unknown
- Classification: Jewelry
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