Turtle amulet
Date1st-4th century CE
PeriodRoman Empire
CultureRoman
MediumGlass (free blown and pressed)
ClassificationGlass
Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936
Object numberSN28.1509
This glass amulet depicts a turtle’s carapace, legs, and head, when seen from above. Temple boys usually hold objects and animals, which are likely to be gifts for a deity. Most often they hold a dove, but some temple boys hold a turtle. Both were symbolic of the goddess Aphrodite.
On View
Not on viewLength: 3/4 in. (1.97 cm)
Width: 9/16 in. (1.5 cm)
Thickness: 3/16 in. (0.50 cm)
Amulet Piercing
Diameter: 1/8 in. (0.31 – 0.32 cm)
Turtle
Length: 9/16 in. (1.39 cm)
Turtle Body
Length: 1/4 in. (0.66 cm)
Width: 5/16 in. (0.75 cm)
Width (with legs): 1/2 in. (1.3 cm)
Turtle Head
Length: 3/16 in. (0.55 cm)
Width: 1/8 in. (0.31 cm)
Turtle Legs
Width: 1/16 in. (0.19 cm)
Medium Details
Color
Glass: close to but more green than 5G 5/2 (grayish green)
Inclusions
n/a
3rd–5th century CE
4th to early 5th century CE
4th century CE
3rd century CE
late 1st–2nd century CE
late 1st–mid-2nd century CE
1550-30 BCE
