LOT 1172 Roman Lead Votive Figure of Atargatis Heliopolita…
Viewed 1183 Frequency
Pre-bid 0 Frequency
Name
Size
Description
Translation provided by Youdao
3rd century AD. A lead ex-voto figure depicting Atargatis Heliopolitanus from the cult of the Heliopolitan Triad; the goddess in the centre, with a crown on her head, wrapped in a tubular tunic feet long, is flanked by bulls, a whip in her hands. See Drijvers, H. J. W., ‘The cult of Atargatis’ in Cults and beliefs at Edessa, Leiden, 1980, pp.76-121. 140 grams total, 12cm including stand (4 3/4"). From the private collection of Antony John Scammell (1937-2019); acquired from Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities, New York, USA, in 2004; accompanied by the original invoice and certificate of authenticity. Items like these were carried on ceremonial occasions in a sacred procession from Heliopolis to Ain Lejouj where they were then flung into the waters of the spring. This was originally a Canaanite cult that the Romans adopted when they conquered the city of Heliopolis in modern day Lebanon. The god Ba'al became Jupiter Heliopolitanus; Atargatis (sometimes called Astarte) became Venus Heliopolitana, and Adon became Mercury, son of Jupiter and Venus. The Romans built a temple to the Triad, and votives like this one to the cult have been found in the region. The cult was particularly diffused in Rome during the Empire of Heliogabalus (218-222 AD"). 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. [No Reserve]
Preview:
Address:
Harwich, Essex, UK
Start time:
Online payment is available,
You will be qualified after paid the deposit!
Online payment is available for this session.
Bidding for buyers is available,
please call us for further information. Our hot line is400-010-3636 !
This session is a live auction,
available for online bidding and reserved bidding