Description:
This is a so-called mystery plaque, rectangular in shape and cast in relief. Two columns with Corinthian capitals and an arch frame the scene, possibly forming a sanctuary; on the outside, in the top corners of the plaque, two snakes can be seen.
Within the structure, we see Sol in his quadriga (a chariot with four horses) in the first register, with a crown of rays around his head, holding a globe in his left hand; over the horses of the quadriga two stars are shown, which have been interpreted as possibly the morning star and the evening star.
Central in the second register is a woman or goddess. She is lifting her garment, forming a sack to feed of the horses. On either side of her we see the typical horsemen, greeting the goddess. The horses step on a fish (on the proper right hand side of the central figure) and a man lying on the ground (on her proper left hand side).
The third register contains in the middle a couple of men (possibly priests, because on many of these plaques they are depicted bold), grouped around a table with a fish (which has been explained as possibly an offering meal); there are other figures in the same register.
In the fourth register we see a tripod table with fish on it, a kantharos (a symbol for water), a lion (a symbol for fire), a snake (a symbol for the earth) and a rooster (a symbol for the air).
Dating:
Circa 2nd-4th century C.E.
Size:
Height 9.5 cm.
Provenance:
Collection of Professor Rudolf Franz Ertl. He published part of his collection of cult plaques in the book Donaureiter – Bleivotivtafeln. Versuch einer Typologie (Wien, 1996).
Condition:
Minor damage to left bottom of border, otherwise well preserved.
SOLD
Stock number:
C1052