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.

    139/280 (page 127)
    kerykeion) is represented raising souls or spirits o of the earth, the soul or spirit being indicated by human head (Fig. 49), or by a head and upper portion Fig. 48.—Hermes calling up a Fig. 49.—Hermes raising a soul, soul. (After Furtwangler.) (After Furtwangler.) the body. On two Etruscan scarabs,^^'* Hermes appears to be placing a human head on the body of a swan or bird of some kind (Figs. 50 and 51). Furtwangler Fig. 50.—Hermes placing a human head on the body of a bird. (After Furtwangler.) Fig. 51.—Hermes placing a human head on the body of a bird. (After Furtwangler.) thinks that these gems do not refer to mere magic or so- called necromancy {v^KpofxavTua), that is to say, the magical invocation or raising of ghosts or shades of the dead (for the purpose of obtaining information about the future), as believed in by the credulous of many ages and many countries. He supposes that the idea of metempsychosis is indicated,^°^ and that Hermes is represented calling up souls from Hades that they may live again on earth. A peacock, thought by Furtwangler to signify ever- lasting life, occurs not rarely on Eoman intagli. It is Furtwangler, loc. cit., vol. i. PI. xix. Nos. 49, 50. Furtwangler, loc. cit., vol. iii. pp. 254, 262.