Ca. 100-200 AD.
A lead votive horse and rider figurine captures a remarkable scene of equestrian prowess and devotion. Crafted in lead, this figurine depicts a rider astride a horse, both rendered with simplified features. The horse is depicted in a right profile, with a lowered head, while the rider sits atop with an air of command and control. Notably, the backside of the horse is left flat and unworked, suggesting its original purpose as part of a larger votive offering. Figurines of horse riders on horses were often offered as votive offerings to deities, representing acts of devotion, gratitude, or requests for divine favor. The horse and rider imagery symbolized various aspects, such as military might, equestrian skill, and the relationship between humans and the divine. Equestrianism played a crucial role in military campaigns, signifying power, control, and mobility. The depiction of a horse and rider in votive figurines may have represented aspirations for success in warfare or a desire for divine protection during military endeavors.
Size: L:42mm / W:42mm ; 15g
Provenance: Private London collection; formerly acquired in the US in the 1990s.