A roman heliotrope gnostic intaglio. Anubis with the Dioscuri.
11 x 13 x 2 mm
In the center, the figure of Anubis is crowned and armed, with the head in profile facing to the right. The divinity wears the armor, the shoes and carries the sword, holding the spear with his right hand. On the sides, the Dioscuri: both are naked, they hold a spear with their left hand and have a star on their head; the right hand rests on the side to support a drapery. One of the two young men is wearing a sword. Both look towards the center of the scene. Well balanced and detailed symmetrical composition. Magical and astrological representation related to the afterlife. Only in very rare cases the "Roman" type of Anubis is attested with military clothes, in the act of challenging the shield and the sword, to allude to the power that the god exercises on the forces of evil that threaten the deceased. Attractive variety of stone, used as a protective amulet.Slight wear marks. Rare iconography.

2nd-3rd century AD.