Description
The oval cornelian gem is engraved on both sides with magic signs and secret names of higher powers, including a version of Ablanathanalba, writte here Alanathanaba.
The purpose of the gem is not mentioned in the inscription and due to the lack of the archaeological context it cannot be reconstructed.
Some of the engraved magic signs belong to a core group of ancient signs which occur on multiple artefacts.
Data
Location: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California
Inventory number: 80.AN.132.2
Material: Cornelian
Dating: 2nd–4th century
Provenance: unknown
Dimensions: 1.5 × 1.2 cm (9/16 × 1/2 in.)
Link: getty.edu/art/collection/object/103VM7