Sale: CNG 72, Lot: 2764. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 June 2006.  Sold For $900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

[Jewelry and Ornaments] ROMAN. Gemstone amulet. Circa 2nd-3rd century AD. Oval gemstone set in gold frame, diameter 28mm, total weight 2.04 g. A flat burgundy colored stone (garnet?) engraved with the Gnostic symbol of the anguipedal (serpent footed) mystic god Abraxas, holding whip and shield and surrounded by stars. The stone set in an open-work gold frame with simple loop hanger. Gold frame slightly bent, otherwise choice.

The Gnostic (”revelation”) sect, an early Christian minority with a strong mystic bent, identified Abraxas with the Judeo-Christian Jahweh, as well as the Persian Mithras; the presence of the whip also implies a connection with Sol. In Greek numerology ABRAXAS (1, 2, 100, 1, 60, 1, 200) and MIQRAES (40, 10, 9, 100, 1, 5, 200) both add up to 365, i.e. the length of the solar year, making the mystical solar connection of these gods. By the 4th century Gnosticism had faded back into the general Christian community.