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Horus/Harpocrates Lead Amuletic Ring from Caesarea Maritima

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v-drome:
Hi, all.  Here is an interesting lead ring from Caesarea Maritima with Harpocrates seated left on lotus blossom.  To right and left in field: I/A/W (IAO, the Hellenized form of the Hebrew YHWH).  On the underside of the bezel, in two lines, is the Greek inscription ABPACAΞ.  This protective magical incantation, the numerical equivalent of 365, has several interpretations, and was utilized frequently by several religious and cultic groups, including the Gnostic Basilidians.  For a nearly identical example (in much better condition), and an excellent discussion of this ancient Egyptian motif, see Amorai-Stark, Hershkovitz, “Gemstones, Finger Rings, and Seal Boxes from Caesarea Maritima, The Hendler Collection” #479, c. Shay Hendler, Tel Aviv 2016.  I will be posting a couple of related items soon.  Any other comments or additions are welcome.

BCC L30
Lead Amuletic Ring
Late Roman c. 3rd-4th Century CE
Lead ring featuring Horus-Harpocrates, seated left on lotus,
right hand raised near face, left hand hanging down.  In field,
to right and left: I/A/W.  On the underside of the bezel, in two
lines above and below a casting burr: ABPA/CAΞ.
Pb 2.4 x 1.2 x 1.0cm. 4.32gm.  Bezel: 17x12mm
Surface find, Caesarea Maritima, 1973.
J. Berlin Caesarea Collection
(click for larger pic)

v-drome:
One more, smaller one:

BCC L31
Lead Amuletic Ring
Late Roman-3rd to 4th Century CE
Lead ring featuring Horus-Harpocrates, seated left on
lotus, right hand raised near face, left hand hanging down. 
In field, to right and left: I/A/W.  On the underside of the
bezel, in two lines above and below a casting burr: ABPA/CAΞ.
Pb 2.05 x 1.75 x 0.45cm. 2.41gm.  Bezel: 12.5x9mm
Cf. Amorai-Stark, Hershkovitz, Hendler #479
Surface find, Caesarea Maritima, 1977
J. Berlin Caesarea Collection

v-drome:
Another small ring with a very pronounced interior casting burr, perhaps intended to be sewn to something or worn on a chain.   Bezel inscribed in the positive IAW (IAO), a Hellenized form of the sacred name of the Hebrew deity .  Nearly identical in appearance, fabric, and manufacturing technique to a pair of rings published in the Hendler Collection, quite possibly from the same workshop.

BCC L11
Lead Amulet Ring
Late Roman - Gnostic?  Ca. 3rd Century CE
Obv: IAW (IAO) Greek letters in raised design. In addition
to the small diameter, there is a raised seam on the inside
which would seem to make this a very uncomfortable ring to wear.
22x17mm. Bezel: 13.5 x 5mm.  3.24gm.
Cf. Amorai-Stark, Hershkovitz, #477, 478 “Gemstones, Finger Rings,
and Seal Boxes from Caesarea Maritima, The Hendler Collection”, Tel Aviv 2016.
Surface find, Caesarea Maritima, 1973
J. Berlin Caesarea Collection

Joe Sermarini:
Interesting! Thanks for posting it.

SC:
Very interesting.  I was not familiar with lead rings before.  Gold, silver, bronze, iron are all well known, but I have not seen lead examples listed in the few works I have - which are all European in focus.  Maybe a tradition restricted to the Near East?

SC

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