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View: Obverse
Oval gem with head of Medusa and inscription
Roman
Imperial Period
2nd or 3rd century A.D.
Medium/Technique
Jasper
Credit Line
Benjamin and Lucy Rowland Fund
Accession Number1997.174
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Gems
DescriptionRed jasper. Intaglio. The head of Medusa with small wings growing over the forehead; two snakes entwine around them and are interlaced above, with confronted heads (as in some forms of the cadeceus of Hermes). Four other snakes dangled about the face. Inscribed in Greek on the reverse with a binding curse designed to silence an enemy or rival, "Gorgon. Achilles, son of Alius, son of Taurus; Ioulis: if they talk, let them not, I pray, be believed! Chnoubis!"
ProvenanceBy date unknown: Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Gorely, Jr. Collection; by 1997: with Skinner, Inc., Boston; purchased on behalf of MFA by Yvonne Markovitz at Skinner Inc. auction 1803, Boston, September 23, 1997, lot 15; October 1997: repayment to Yvonne Markovitz by MFA; accessioned by MFA, October 22, 1997