2nd century BC-1st century AD. A temple-shaped votive lead plaque with high-relief design of the sun and birds over a scene of opposed horsemen, a row of symbols and another of birds; mounted on a custom-made stand. 158 grams, 94mm including stand (3 3/4"). Property of a London collector; acquired in the late 1970s. The cult of the Danubian Riders spread amongst the Roman troops shortly after Dacia was conquered and made into a province of the Empire by the Emperor Trajan in 106 AD. The deities depicted on the reliefs are never named and this may refer to a secret mystery cult of the sort that was popular across the Empire, such as that of Mithras, Isis and Cybele. The usual iconography depicts two male deities on horseback flanking a central goddess holding a fish. In upper and lower registers are symbols, such as the sun, moon, stars, and numerous animals including the ram, dog, lion, eagle, peacock, raven, cock, snake, and sometimes even the bull, which seem to imply death and rebirth.

Very fine condition.