Gemma magiczna z formułą ctoxbaθλh z kolekcji Konstantego Schmidta-Ciążyńskiego (1818-1889)
Magical gem with the CTOXBAΘΛH formula from the Constantine Schmidt-Ciążyński collection

Summary/Abstract: In 1886 the collection of the National Museum in Kraków obtained a valuable set of engraved gems and cameos consisting of 2517 objects (it is unfortunately not on display, not even in a narrow selection). It had previously belonged to Constantine Schmidt-Ciążyński (1818-1889), an antiquarian that had among others actively worked in Paris and London and who had a particular interest and felt passion towards those miniature works of art, dating not only to the ancient times. One of the very interesting items from his former collection is an engraved gem dating to the 1st century A.D. made of chalcedony (measuring 18 x 13.5 x 3 mm) depicting a bust of a Flavian lady (perhaps Flavia Iulia Sabina?) on the face and the CTOXBAΘΛH MAΛAKICΘOM MAΛAKOX ΨOX ABPAMMAWΘH ABPAMMHA ABPAMMAWΘ magical formula on the reverse, engraved later. This formula was most commonly used on engraved gems with depictions or characters of Chnoubis. Its meaning has not been deciphered yet and it is possible that it should be linked with the Jewish religion. The former lot of this magical gem is unfortunately unknown, in the 18th century it was a part of the collection of prince A.C.Ph. de Caylus and was published by him in the catalogue of his rich collection (cf. Recueil d’antiquités égyptiennes, étrusques, grecques, romaines et gauloises, Vol. VI, Paris 1764, p. 136 [No. IV-V], Pl. XL:IV-V).

• Details
• Contents