Need Info on Divining Disk of Pergamon

[mlpscorp]

Hello,

My name is Michelle and I have been searching all over the internet for information on this item. It has been in the family for about 20 years. My ex-husband believes he found it on a trip he took to Germany and Hungary. Even though the picture makes it look dark it is actually quite silverish and is heavy in weight.

Please talk to me about this item besides what info I have found on the internet, which is very little.

I have an email into the Earthen Arts Gallery to see if this is one of their reproductions. I do not believe it is because of the design mine has around the ring at the top.

Thank You :)

[Polly]

Did you ask Stewart Swerdlow at http://www.expansions.com/index.cfm about this disk?  He might be able to help you.  There is a Question, Answer and Comments section on the website and you can fill out the contact form.  It sure is interesting looking but I know nothing about it.  What a find!

[Get Boldened]

Pergamon was an ancient royal capital in what is now Turkey. The exact ritual for the Disk of Permagon is a mystery. Here's more information on your disk.

[mlpscorp]

Thank You all very much. Here is my letter back from Earthen Arts:

Good Evening Mrs. Prust,

The symbols on the face of your disk appear to match those on the face of the disk that I replicate. The Divining Disk of Pergamon that I replicate is based on a 2 dimensional image found in the book Amulets and Talismans authored by Sir E. A. Wallis Budge, KT published in 1968 by University Books, New Hyde Park, NY. It appears that someone in Germany must also have replicated the image at or around the time your husband found his piece. I first offered the replication of the ancient divining disk image back in the late 80's when I first published a catalog titled Images, Amulets and Talismans under the business name of Bayshore Jewelers. My catalog with the image of the disk within it, may have led to the reproduction of the image by someone in Germany, or maybe, someone there just had the same idea about reproducing ancient images like I do.

The piece that you have is not one that I made. I, in fact, replicate the image on both sides of the medallion I offer. The image itself "...formed a part of the apparatus which the magicians of Pergamon used for purposes of divination and for obtaining Oracles in the first half of the third century of our Era." It was originally discovered "...at Pergamon in Asia Minor in 1899, and is perserved in the Museum in Berlin."

I would feel gifted for the possession of the imaged object regardless of its origins; don't throw it away.(:>)).

My work shown online is all handmade and is the result of over 45 years of being a Silversmith-Goldsmith/Artist Craftsman, Businessman, and Educator.

Thanks for inquiry. Let me know if you would ever like any other image I offer, or if you have a special image that you alone would like replicated.

Best Regards,

Norm Thomas


So now I guess I hit the library to try to find some books...
I would like to know what the thing is made of. I suppose a jeweler could help me with that?
Too bad I can't speak German to try to do some inquiring over there :)

[Diajin]

I believe it to be real ancient history recorded starting at the top of the disk and by rotatiing it you can find meaning in how the story relates to your point in history as well as the center changes where and when the history starts

[drachenweib]

I also have the same thing, however during the 1920's-1940's, there was a lot of replication done on ancient talismans such as this one... My grandpa gave me this in the early 80's ... it is smooth on the back, and has a worn look to it... it's mot silver, nor plated in any way and still has a silvery sheen on it... there is very little about this... from over 15 years of off and on research...

Are you planning on giving it away or selling it?

[drachenweib]

and yes, i'm wearing mine right now... regular piece of jewellery for me.  see my response about the replicating phase of the 1920's-40's... there were a lot of elite people dabbing in occult, ouiji boards, talismans, amulets etc back in the day... these pieces that you and I have are likely part of the replicating era, no markings to indicate who did the recreation etc...

it may have even been replicated before the 20's as well... but I know my grandpa had it for years before giving it to me in the early 80's..

so the earth dude, shouldn't have his knickers in a knot... *G*...

care

[nebneb333]

I have one that had been given to me by my grandmothers aunt Sybil Leek (aka Great aunt Sybil I have been looking long and hard to find out what it was cause it is mentioned in the family history that she practiced the craft and such. Before I found this (re-looking because a friend found it interesting) page I had only gotten bits and pieces of info. Such as it was supposed to be good luck, protection, or help with divination in some way but never a really clear answer. It is really worn and been in the family at least as long as her so I am glad to know at least this much. Thank you all for the collective info.