Roman Danubian Temple-Shaped Lead Plaque with Helen of Troy

3RD CENTURY A.D.

3 1/2 in. (74 grams, 90 mm).

Displaying a figural scene in relief composed of a mounted rider (Dioscuros) advancing left towards the figure of Helen of Troy, in the upper register, the sun and the moon, behind the cavalryman a woman or image of Nike holding a crown upon his head. [No Reserve]

Provenance

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

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 0664