This ancient artefact is a rare example of a gem used as amulet against fever. The majority of the fever amulets from the archaeological record were made of papyrus or parchment.
The gem is inscribed on both sides:
The chippings on both sides likely happened when the gem was removed with a metal tool from its original mound.
Description
Place of storage: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, California
Inventory number: 73.AN.1
Material: Agate
Dating: 2nd – 3rd century
Provenance: Unknown
Dimensions: 3.9 × 3.5 × 1.1 cm (1 9/16 × 1 3/8 × 7/16 in.)
Link: https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/103QSR
Literature
R. Kotansky, ‚Two Amulets in the Getty Museum: A Gold Amulet for Aurelia’s Fever. An Inscribed Magical-Stone for Fever, ‘Chills,’ and Headache,‘ J. Paul Getty Museum Journal 8 (1980), 181–188.
The publication is available in JSTOR when registered, registration is free for private individuals.