Roman Danubian Lead Plaque

Description

A Roman Danubian lead plaque 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. The image of Sol Invictus assumed a great importance in this 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. Lead was a magical metal in the Roman world. It was connected with votive offerings, luck and the dead (Pluto). Lead was regularly used for votive items as well as things like curse tablets.

Provenance

From a North American collection formed in the 1990s.

Origin

Roman Empire 3rd to 4th Century AD. Generally found along the area surrounding whats referred to as the Danube Limes, the Roman military frontier which lies along the River Danube in the present-day German state of  Bavaria, in Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.

Measurements

Object Height 8cm Width 7cm. On Stand Height 13 cm

Condition

Good ancient condition with ancient loss to right hand corner. Presented on a custom made stand.