Aspects of death and their effects on the living as illustrated by minor works of art : especially medals, engraved gems, jewels, &c. / by F. Parkes Weber ; with 58 figures in the text.

  • Weber, Frederick Parkes, 1863-1962.
Date:
1910
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Aspects of death and their effects on the living as illustrated by minor works of art : especially medals, engraved gems, jewels, &c. / by F. Parkes Weber ; with 58 figures in the text. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    138/280 (page 126)
    about to lay it down (Fig. 46). Furtwiingler suggests that this winged figure may represent the demon Thanatos. Certain representations of Hermes on antique gems are thought by Furtwiingler to relate to Pythagorean and Orphic doctrines of a transmigration of souls (metempsychosis), doctrines probably originally derived from India and the East. Thus, on a carnelian Etruscan scarabaeus (Fig. 47), Hermes with his kerykeion Fig. 46.—Winged figure holding Fig. 47.—Herme.s summoning a urn. (After Furtwangler.) soul from the lower world. (After Furtwangler.) (caduceus) seems to be summoning a soul from the earth (or rather, from the lower world). On another Etruscan scarabaeus (of calcedony)/°^ Hermes seems to be calling up a soul from a large jar (pithos); a bearded head is seen emerging from the jar, which is perhaps intended to represent an exit from the lower world (Fig. 48). Furtwangler likewise figures several early Italian intagli,^^ on which Hermes (mostly with his 90 Furtwangler, loc. cit., vol. iii. pp. 202, 255 ei seq. In regard to the Orphic doctrines of an existence after death, see especially the account of Orphic inscribed tablets of thin gold, found in tombs of Lower Italy, &c., in Miss J, E. Harrison's Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion, 2nd edition, Cambridge, 1908, pp. 572 et seg., and the Critical Appendix by Mr. G. Murray. Numerous representations of the Orpheus legend occur in antique and later art; in Christian symbolism Orpheus became a type of Christ (see p. 122). 101 Furtwangler, loc. cit., vol. i. PI. xviii. No. 55. 2 Furtwangler, loc. cit., vol. i. PI. xx. No. 32. 1 Furtwangler, loc. cit., vol. i. PI. xxi. Nos. 64-72. C. W. King {Handbook of Engraved Gems, edition of 1885, PI. Ixxv. No. 1) describes a similar gem-type as: Llercury, by the magic power of his caduceus, drawing up a soul from the Shades.