LOT 0190

Large Roman Bronze Chariot Fitting with Imago Clipeata of a Priest of Mithras

LATE 3RD-EARLY 4TH CENTURY A.D.

9 5/8 in. (1.8 kg total, 24.5 cm including stand).

Representing a facing bust of a mature man with his head turned slightly to the right; short hair and a full, neatly trimmed beard, furrowed brow and strong eyebrows, deep-set eyes with heavy eyelids, eyes marked with pupils; dressed in a short-sleeved tunic draped around the neck and wearing a conical cap, holding an egg in his left hand; pierced through the surrounding roundel; mounted on a custom-made display stand.

J.J. Klejman, New York, 1963.
with Gallery Six, New York, 1991.
with Christie's, New York, 11 December 2014, no.156 ($50,000-$70,000).
Private collection, London.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12361-226874.

Cf. Donati, A., Gentili, G., Costantino Il Grande, la civilta' Antica al bivio fra Occidente ed Oriente, Milano, 2005, pp.14-15, 286, nos.125-126; Demandt, A., Engemann, J., Imperator Caesar Flavius Constantinus - Konstantin der Grosse, Mainz, 2007, p.61 no.7; cat. I.8.10.

In the Mithraic cult the egg is a symbol of eternal time, and associated with the birth of god Mithras. The cult of Mithras, the god of the legions, whose symbol was the Sol Invictus, was popular during the 3rd century and in Tetrarchic Age. The chariot which this fitting adorned possibly wouldn't have been used in war, but in triumphal and religious processions, or simply for transport of priests.