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Byzantine 'Psalm 91 Related' Gnostic Bronze Talisman Pendant Byzantine 'Psalm 91 Related' Gnostic Bronze Talisman Pendant Byzantine 'Psalm 91 Related' Gnostic Bronze Talisman Pendant Byzantine 'Psalm 91 Related' Gnostic Bronze Talisman Pendant Byzantine 'Psalm 91 Related' Gnostic Bronze Talisman Pendant Byzantine 'Psalm 91 Related' Gnostic Bronze Talisman Pendant
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Details

LOT 0173

Byzantine 'Psalm 91 Related' Gnostic Bronze Talisman Pendant

CIRCA 5TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.

2 7/8 in. (17.3 grams, 73 mm).

Discoid in form with integral loop, obverse with low-relief images of mounted Saint Sisinnios killing the demon Gyllou (Lilith), Agnus Dei, a stork, a lion, the holy snake Chnoubis and other symbols with Greek text between; reverse with a standing nimbate angel within a panel of Greek text from Psalm 91.

Provenance

From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

Literature

Cf. for some of the represented symbols on medallions Wamser, L., Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, items 577, 582; Faraone, C.A., 'Text, Image and Medium, The Evolution of Graeco-Roman Magical Gemstones' in Entwistle, C., Adams, N., Gems of Heaven, recent research on engraved Gemstones in Late Antiquity, c. AD 200-600, London, 2011, pp.50-61, pls.2 a-c.

Footnotes

The text surrounding the angel recites the verses of Psalm 90 (Heb.91) in the ‘Great Reward Prayer’ (Μεγάλο Απόδειπνο): …Ο κατοικών εν βοηθεία τού Υψίστου, εν σκέπη τού Θεού τού ουρανού αυλισθήσεται. Ερεί τώ Κυρίω, Αντιλήπτωρ μου εί, καί καταφυγή μου… = …He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress…'

CONDITION
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LOT 0173

Byzantine 'Psalm 91 Related' Gnostic Bronze Talisman Pendant

Sold for (Inc. bp): £975

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