Amulet with Ourobouros (Snake with Tail in Mouth)

Description This oval carnelian amulet was apparently injured by fire and was originally a pale yellow or flesh color. It is mounted in gold as a stick pin. The obverse depicts a ouroboros with its head at the top, enclosing a design. Directly below the head of the ouroboros is a small oval enclosing five stars (?) indiciated by small crosses. Below that are several magical characters and the letters HB. Below this is the main design, very uncertain. It depicts a table or couch on which rests a small mummy with its head bent up, or perhaps a chid in swaddling-bands. At the right is a serpent with horns, or perhaps a lion-headed serpent. At the left is what is apparently a serpent with a large head. The body of the snake is supported on the hind legs of some animal, possibly a dog. Below are two lines of characters with a few letters. At the bottom, what is perhaps a jackal is depicted running to the left. The reverse is plain.

Exhibitions

• Early Christian and Byzantine Art. Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore. 1947.

Provenance Henry Walters, New York [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Sadie Jones (Mrs. Henry Walters), New York, 1931, by inheritance; Mrs. Henry Walters Sale, Joseph Brummer, New York, 1942; Walters Art Museum, 1942, by purchase.

Inscriptions [Inscription] Below stars: magical characters and HB; [Inscription] Below the main design, two lines of characters and some letters

Credit Museum purchase [formerly part of the Walters Collection], 1942