2nd-3rd century A.D. A bifacial oval-shaped carnelian gemstone with bevelled edge, the obverse engraved with a sceneposed of multiple figures standing on a ground line, crescent moon between two stars above, from left possibly the god Helios or Serapis being crowned by Victory, the central standing figure of Isis holding a cornucopia, fronted by an eagle holding a wreath in its beak, crowned by another winged Victory; partial inscription below; reverse bearing five lines of later inscribed text, in Greek and Latin letters. Cf. Campbell, B., 'A Miscellany of Engraved Stones' in Hesperia, 1954, volume 23, pp.138-157, fig.31. 2.11 grams, 20 mm (3/4 in.). Acquired 1970-1999. Property of a late London Mayfair gentleman, by descent. Egyptian deities are often represented on magical gems: in particular Isis, Osiris, Sarapis, Horus-Harpokrates and Anubis but also Thoth, cynocephali, leontocephali, other figures with animal heads, scarabs and, less often, Seth, Apis or other gods. On the other hand, many gems with typical Graeco-Roman deities are represented without having a connection to magic; they were applied to magical use by being inscribed with magical words or formulae.