Ancient Roman Lead Mystery Cult Plaque with Epona and Danubian Riders

06
days
07
hours
53
minutes
16
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
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Peter Reynaers
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Selected by Peter Reynaers

Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.

Estimate  € 500 - € 650
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Ancient Roman lead Mystery cult plaque with Epona and Danubian Riders, dimensions about 89.8 × 77.2 mm, in good condition with patina, dating to the 1st–2nd century AD, acquired in 2023 in the Netherlands.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.

A very impressive and rare Roman/Celtic lead Mystery cult plaque. Rectangular shaped with twisted border and wavy top, plain reverse side.

The top part shows a fish in the centre, four-pointed stars to the left and right. Below this is a square shaped twisted border with various scenes as follows:
- The top row shows the busts of Luna (left) and Sol (right) with serpents in between.
- The second row shows the goddess Epona in the middle, flanked by two Danubian riders on horseback, both trampling on prone male figures. Behind the horseman on the left is a standing figure, wearing a ram-head mask, a female figure, possibly Nemesis is standing behind the horseman on the right.
- The lower part shows a tripod table with three candles and a tall lamp stand on the left. A sacrifice scene in the centre. Three circles (fruit) above a kantharos (urn) and rooster standing on a ram's head on the right.

This plaque is showing the Celtic Goddess Epona, protector of horses and a goddess of fertility. Epona was one of the few Celtic divinities worshipped in Rome itself and was widespread in the Roman Empire between the first and third century AD. During the Gallo-Roman period, Epona was widely worshipped by the military, and in particular by the cavalry.

Dimensions: ± 89,8 x 77,2 mm

Condition: good condition, signs of wear and patina consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity available upon request (pdf-format).

Seller's Story

Please read our information carefully. *SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us. * CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package. * INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following: -> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays within 14 days after the shipping date. -> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note, keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage. * IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU. * DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers. ---------------------- Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!

Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.

A very impressive and rare Roman/Celtic lead Mystery cult plaque. Rectangular shaped with twisted border and wavy top, plain reverse side.

The top part shows a fish in the centre, four-pointed stars to the left and right. Below this is a square shaped twisted border with various scenes as follows:
- The top row shows the busts of Luna (left) and Sol (right) with serpents in between.
- The second row shows the goddess Epona in the middle, flanked by two Danubian riders on horseback, both trampling on prone male figures. Behind the horseman on the left is a standing figure, wearing a ram-head mask, a female figure, possibly Nemesis is standing behind the horseman on the right.
- The lower part shows a tripod table with three candles and a tall lamp stand on the left. A sacrifice scene in the centre. Three circles (fruit) above a kantharos (urn) and rooster standing on a ram's head on the right.

This plaque is showing the Celtic Goddess Epona, protector of horses and a goddess of fertility. Epona was one of the few Celtic divinities worshipped in Rome itself and was widespread in the Roman Empire between the first and third century AD. During the Gallo-Roman period, Epona was widely worshipped by the military, and in particular by the cavalry.

Dimensions: ± 89,8 x 77,2 mm

Condition: good condition, signs of wear and patina consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity available upon request (pdf-format).

Seller's Story

Please read our information carefully. *SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us. * CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package. * INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following: -> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays within 14 days after the shipping date. -> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note, keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage. * IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU. * DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers. ---------------------- Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!

Details

Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/ Timeframe
1st - 2nd century AD
Name of object
Mystery Cult Plaque with Epona and Danubian Riders
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2023
Material
Lead
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2023
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
The NetherlandsVerified
8962
Objects sold
100%
protop

Disclaimer

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

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