Danubian Lead Votive Plaque with Helen of Troy

3RD CENTURY A.D.

3 1/4 in. (91 grams, 83 mm).

Comprising a figural scene in relief composed of a mounted rider (Dioscuros) advancing left towards the figure of Helen of Troy, a worshipper behind his horse and another beneath it in the attitude of submission; the sun and the moon above.

Provenance

Acquired early 1990s.
From an East Anglian private collection.

Literature

See Tudor, D., Corpus Monumentorum Religionis Equitum Danuviorum (CMRED), II. The analysis and interpretation of the monuments, Leiden-Brill, 1976, for discussion and iconography.

Footnotes

The image of Sol Invictus assumed a great importance in the Danubian cult: the frequent representation of the celestial gods on the plaques is paralleled by their representation on monuments of other mystery cults, particularly the cult of Mithras. The image of a Dioscuros on horseback is linked to that of the Danubian rider.

CONDITION

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LOT 0612