3rd century AD. A group of three lead votive plaques showing scenes of Danubian cult: on all three plaques the god Sun and the goddess Moon are depicted respectively on the right and the left side of the upper part, at the centre of all plaques facing Helen of Sparta, the divine daughter of Leda and Zeus, welcoming her divine brothers, the twins Castor and Pollux, both personifying the Danubian rider; on one plaque the left cavalryman is advancing holding the draco standard; the cock, the sacred animal of the sun represented on two plaques, foliage and animal symbols representing the offerings to the gods; on the background of all plaques Cult architectural elements. See Beutler F., Farka C., Gugl C., Humer F., Kremer, G. and Pollhammer E.(ed.), Der Adler Roms, Carnuntum und die Armee der Caesaren, Bad Voslau, 2017, cat, 67, for similar plaque in bronze. 297 grams total, 78-83mm (3 - 3 1/4"). From the private collection of Antony John Scammell (1937-2019); one acquired from TimeLine Originals, Upminster, UK; accompanied by the original invoice. The plaques contain a complex iconography of divine figures and symbols, probably to be associated with Thracian or Dacian beliefs of the Lower Danube region, but also with the Greek Myth of the divine twins Castor and Pollux (the Dioskuroi), an important element of the Roman religion since the origins, now mixed with the cult of the Danubian rider. Presiding over the whole scene is usually the Sol Invictus (the unconquered sun-god) and his sister the Moon (Selene"). His cult originated in the Near East and gained increasing influence under imperial patronage during the third century AD. The state worship of Sol (Greek Elios)) was slowly substituted by Constantine's favour towards Christianity since AD 312. Antony John Scammell (1937-2019) was born, and lived his entire life, in the city of Bristol, England. Already from an early age he was enthralled by history and the heroes that it created. While serving overseas with the British Army, Antony began collecting coins and banknotes and this led to collecting a variety of different items throughout his life. From the early 1960s onward, Antony invested in acquiring ancient artefacts. Antony's vast collections started with Egyptian antiquities, but soon branched into Greek and Roman civilisations. The Roman civilisation fascinated him most and, when family commitments allowed, archaeological digs were coordinated in the west of England. These digs uncovered numerous artefacts, many of which were donated to local museums. In retirement, the collecting continued apace, branching into UK coins, British Empire banknotes and fossils. [3]