Terracotta Plaque with Relief from Antioch on the Orontes

Culture: Greek/Antioch

Period: 1st century A.D.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 8 cm x 6 cm

Price: 1 600 Euro

Ref: 2283

Provenance: French private collection Hekmat and Madeleine Nassif, acquired between 1933 and 1987.

Condition: Intact

Description: Rare terracotta plaque portraying on one side details of a coin type which was minted in Antioch during Nero’s terms (54-68 A.D.). It depicts a ram turning its head to the back, as well as a bust of the city goddess Tyche with her city wall crown. The inscription reads Antioch as well as the governor Quadatrus. On the back a person is depicted, once in profile and once en face. Possibly it is the depiction of the goddess Cybele. Considering the religious content of the images it may be possible that the present object is an amulet, possibly a “souvenir” from Antioch. Accompanied by a detailed description by the Austrian epigraphist Katharina Michner.