Greek Inscribed Gemstone with Seated Harpokrates. 1st century B.C. A green chalcedony gemstone engraved with young naked Harpokrates seated upon a massive plant surrounded by foliage, wearing a pileus cap, holding a flail in his left hand, the right hand raised up and holding a finger to his mouth; Greek inscription 'MALICOMEC' (reading MALISOMES) to the field. See similar gemstones in Entwistle, C., Adams, N., Gems of Heaven, recent research on engraved Gemstones in Late Antiquity, c. AD 200-600, London, 2011, p.81, pl.1, 85, pl.8. 1.43 grams, 17 mm (5/8 in.) UK private collection before 2000. UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. This representation of Harpokrates is usual in the zodiac magical gems, where he is represented as a combination of the sun god, Greek Helios and Egyptian Harpokrates, and seen as the ruler of the cosmos, often surrounded by the signs of the Zodiac.

Fine condition.