Roman Votive Iron Military Standard with Faunus and Sol Invictus

3RD CENTURY A.D.

15 in. (1.39 kg total, 38 cm including stand).

Comprising a triangular spearhead-shaped panel with flared split socket; two separate figures attached with rivets: on the left Helios (or Sol) with draped mantle and radiant crown, holding a sphere in his left hand; on the right Faunus (Pan) with two curved horns, a short beard, arms bent forwards, the upper body covered by a hide jerkin and the legs with shaggy fur; mounted on a custom-made display stand. [No Reserve]

Provenance

From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000.
From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Literature

Cf. similar spearhead in Toepfer K.M., Die römischen Feldzeichen in der Republik und im Prinzipat, Mainz, 2011, NZ11, from Saalburg.

Footnotes

The piece is reminiscent of the votive plates in the Dolichenus cult, or possibly of some other cult.

CONDITION

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LOT 0108