2nd-3rd century AD. A dark green jasper Gnostic magical amulet in an ancient bronze pendant setting, closed at back; a cockerel-headed and snake-legged figure, Abrasax, surrounded by formulaic magical inscription; extremely rare to find in an ancient setting as they were usually worn unset, sown into the clothing of the wearer as protective amulets; this gemstone has been set upside down within the ancient mount, the mount later than the gem as its edges were already chipped when the stone was placed in the setting. 3.28 grams, 37mm, gemstone: 17mm (1 1/2"). From an important central London collection formed since the mid 1960s; thence by descent.