Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Amuletic Gem
5th-6th century (Late Antique)
Solomon (the Holy Rider) spearing Lillith, the she-demon, is carved on this magical gem. Throughout the Middle Ages, certain gems were believed to have specific curative or protective properties. Hematite ("bloodstone") was thought to stop the flow of blood, especially during pregnancy, suggesting that this gem was carved for medicinal purposes.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
L. Alexander Wolfe, Jerusalem, by purchase; Sale [Auction XXIII], Frank Sternberg, Zurich, November 20, 1989, no. 206; Walters Art Museum, 1989, by purchase.
Measurements
H: 1 x W: 1/2 x D: 1/8 in. (2.6 x 1.3 x 0.4 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, 1989
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
42.1478