2nd-3rd century AD. A silver lunar pendant with tapering, round-section arms, applied granules to one face, ribbed spension loop above. 2.6 grams, 29mm high (1"). Believed acquired from York in the 1990s. Private collection of a Dorset gentleman. Property of a Ssex, UK, teacher. In popular belief, Romans ually wore such amulets as a talisman to protect themselves against evil forces, devils and sorcery, although their obsession was the evil eye. Also known as baskania, this belief holds that the eye was an active organ that emits destructive emanations charged by negative dispositions (especially envy, malevolence, miserliness, and withheld generosity"). The Roman writer Plutarchpares these emanations to the destructive rays of the sun and to 'poisoned arrows' shot from a bow. This evil eye could be warded off by a great variety of protective words, gestures, actions, and amulets. [No Reserve]