Silver pendant with gnostic intaglio of Anubis 2nd-3rd Century AD.

A silver mounted gnostic intaglio engraved with the figure of Anubis.

Roman, 2nd-3rd Century AD.

The silver mount dates to the late 19th century.

Measures 3.5 x 2.3 x 0.9cm (excluding loose bail).

The agate intaglio is engraved to one side with the standing figure of Anubis wielding a sword and to the other side with letters alluding to its magical purpose.

The intaglio is heavily worn to both sides, this usually happens when an intaglio is found in a river after years of tumbling and wear.

Anubis is the god of funerary rites, protector of graves, and guide to the underworld, in ancient Egyptian religion, usually depicted as a canine or a man with a canine head.

Gnosticism is a collection of religious ideas and systems which coalesced in the late 1st century AD among Jewish and early Christian sects. These various groups emphasised personal spiritual knowledge (gnosis) above the orthodox teachings, traditions, and authority of religious institutions.