Graeco-Egyptian Gnostic Bronze Sigil Tablet 4.0cm c. 200-500 AD COA Certified For Sale

Ancient Graeco-Egyptian / Levantine Cast Bronze Gnostic Magical Amulet Plaque with Side Lugs & Engraved Sigils (40mm — c. 3rd–6th Century AD)

Authenticity & Guarantee

• Provenance: Ex-private European collection, legally acquired from international sales; Graeco-Roman Egypt / Levantine Esoteric Sphere.

Item Specifications & Exact Dimensions

• Object: Cast Bronze Gnostic Magical Amulet Plaque / Esoteric Sigil Tablet

• Culture / Period: Graeco-Egyptian Gnostic / Late Roman to Early Byzantine Esoteric Sphere

• Date Range: Circa 3rd Century AD – 6th Century AD (c. 200 – 500 AD)

• Exact Dimensions: 40 mm height (4.0 cm) × 42 mm width across side lugs

• Material: Cast Bronze (Copper Alloy)

• Form & Architecture: Substantial square cast bronze plaque flanked by twin lateral mounting/suspension lugs (ears); obverse face deeply cut with Gnostic magical ciphers (characteres), esoteric symbols, and sacred Greek vowel invocations; flat reverse face displaying ancient hand-finishing striations

• Condition: Exceptional, 100% complete ancient condition. Intact side lugs, clear engraved magical matrix, preserved under a rich charcoal-olive bronze patina with light sandy-tan calcareous burial deposits. Free of modern restoration or tooling.

Gnosticism & Esoteric Magical Tablets (Phylakteria)

In Late Antiquity across Graeco-Roman Egypt and the Levant, Gnostic sects (including the Basilidians and Sethians) created metal plaques inscribed with divine names, protective formulas, and mystic ciphers (characteres). Rooted in the traditions captured within the Greek Magical Papyri (PGM), these bronze tablets were designed to channel divine light and knowledge (gnosis) to protect the owner from spiritual harm.

Function of Side Lugs & Sacred Invocation

The prominent lateral lugs on either side of the plaque served an architectural function, allowing the 40mm heavy bronze tablet to be bound into a leather protective pouch, sewn onto ritual garments, or affixed directly to a home shrine. Inscribed with esoteric linear sigils and power symbols, the amulet acted as a permanent ward against malevolent archons, demoniac forces, and evil curses.

Typological Analysis & Exact Classification

• Primary Class: Classical Antiquity Esoteric Antiquities / Gnostic Magical Amulet

• Sub-Class: Flanged Square Bronze Sigil Plaque Class

Comparable Archaeological Examples & Museum Accession Numbers

• British Museum (Accession No. 1856,0701.2260): Late Roman / Gnostic bronze magical amuletic plaque with Greek ciphers.

• Louvre Museum (Inv. No. MND 2014): Graeco-Egyptian Gnostic bronze talisman with lateral attachment lugs.

• Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology (London, Accession No. UC59430): Late Roman magical sigil tablet with esoteric