Hecate, who is of importance for the magical gems, is usually depicted in this object genre in the three-figure type. The red jasper of the Hekate gem found particular use in the treatment of haemorrhages or women's ailments - here the colour reminiscent of blood is in the foreground.
The type of stone underlines Hekate's nature as a moon goddess. In this function, she was responsible as a protective deity for women's concerns (menstruation, pregnancy, birth). The cosmological aspect of the phases of the moon, which can be put in relation to the female cycle, is also underlined by the combination of stone type and sphere of action. (AVS)
Former August Kestner Collection, Rome
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