Roman Bronze Horse and Rider

With openwork design enclosed in a notched roundel, addorsed c-shaped central spokes and punched ring-and-dot motifs; hinged pin and catchplate to the reverse; complete. 14.8 grams, 37 mm



Acquired 1970s-1980s. From a London brooch collector, UK.

Composed of a hexagonal drum-shaped body, each panel with numerals in recessed circular form: 1; 6; 2;4; 3;5; baluster-shaped grip to one face and a projecting knop to the other; the grip unscrews to reveal a hollow body. 13.4 grams, 36 mm



From the collection of an UK gentleman formed in the 1990s. Acquired on the UK art market.

Displaying a figural scene in relief showing the Dioscuri, wearing a crested helmet and raising the right arm in salutation; the bust of Sol wearing a radiate crown and the horned bust of moon surmounted by a crescent, border to the perimeter representing two snakes; the inner border with seven six-pointed stars, a large dolphin-like creature swimming to the right, to the left a group of round objects; to the right of the left hand rider, a three-legged offering table with three candle-sticks; between the sun and the moon a standing female deity dressed in peplos and chiton, facing right with her right arm raised in front of her; behind the moon a bird waddling to left; to the right of the left hand rider, a cockerel; beneath the horse’s hooves two prostrate figures lying face down, head to the right and left, the right figure with the left knee bent in supplication; at the centre, between the two horsemen, a standing female deity in long chiton (Helen of Troy); behind the right horse, a standing male figure facing left with his right hand raised in salutation, wearing a knee length tunica, short boots and a heavy cloak; on the lower margin a small prostrate figure with head to the right, limbs extended, a twin-handled wine cup, a standard surmounted by a lamp, a figure hanging head down from a stunted tree and a lion stalking left. 61 grams, 70 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

The plaque contains a complex iconography of divine figures and symbols, probably associated with Thracian or Dacian beliefs of the Lower Danube region, but also with the Greek myth of the divine twins Castor and Pollux (the Dioscuri), an important element of Roman religion since its origins, here mixed with the cult of the Danubian rider. Presiding over the whole scene is usually the Sol Invictus (the unconquered sun-god) and his sister the Moon (Selene).