2nd-3rd century AD. A fine bronze figurine of a naked cavalryman, a Gallo-Roman god, bearded and seated with spread legs, likely a representation of the god Taranis, originally on horseback and holding a thunderbolt in his right hand. See Berresford, E.P., Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, Oxford University Press, 1994, for discussion. 67.7 grams, 69mm (2 3/4"). Property of a Dutch gentleman; formerly in an old collection formed in the 1970s. In Celtic mythology Taranis, or Taranus, was the god of thunder, venerated in Gaul and ancient Britain and mentioned by the Roman poet Marcus Anneus Lucanus in his epic poem Pharsalia (Liber I) as a Celtic deity to whom sacrifices were paid.