A Roman haematite magical gem
Circa 4th Century A.D.
The obverse with lion-headed Anguipes wearing a mantle, his legs in the form of coiled snakes, holding a whip in his right hand and a rectangular shield in his left, the porpax visible, a swastika in the field, the reverse with a three-line inscription reading στομάχου, stomachou, 'for the stomach', 3cm long注脚Provenance:
Major James Findlay (1915-1990) collection, Aberdeen, acquired in the 1950s-1960s; and thence by descent.
Sold to benefit Archway, a respite care and housing charity in Aberdeen, charity no. SCO14665.

In ancient Rome, magic gems were used as protective amulets and talismans of good fortune; the present lot was evidently intended to alleviate or cure stomach ailments. The obverse depicts Anguipes, a hybrid zoomorphic divinity commonly found on such gems. For a near-identical gem, see the British Museum, London, acc. no. 1986,0501.106.