Lot 65
Southeastern Europe, Thrace (modern borders in Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey), ca. 1st century BCE to 2nd century CE. A carved pedimented limestone stele with a recess containing a Thracian Rider mounted upon a striding horse, the pair upon a rectangular plinth, all in bas relief. The figure wears a short chiton or tunic that is wonderfully detailed with a scarf or sash, belt, and pleats, and a pointed helmet; his raised right hand clenching a staff, or perhaps a decorated hunting horn or spear; his left holding the reigns of the galloping horse. Thracian horseman symbolizing victory and strength were a recurring motif on eastern Balcanic mythology during the Roman era. Size: 10.5" W x 15" H (26.7 cm x 38.1 cm); 17" H (43.2 cm) on included custom stand.
Scholars believe this riding hero to be the main deity of Ancient Thrace who was extremely popular in the Roman period and did not appear to have a name, but instead was referred to only as "the hero". A widespread cult of gods or heroes who appeared as hunters or riders on horseback existed from about 1000 BCE. Some examples include the Greek Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux, the Romano-Celtic Jupiter Taranis and the Danubian rider-gods. A superb example of this wondrous mythological figure!
For additional discussion of this iconography, see Nicolae, C. The Iconography of the Antique Hero in the Balkan Area, in Marisia vol. XXXI, 2011.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Richard Wagner collection, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, acquired in the 1970s
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#146227
- Condition: Normal surface wear and abrasions with earthen deposits. Old losses to peripheries as shown. Still, strong details remaining and nicely preserved given its age.
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