Plate 3
'The silver plate with a figurative image has a circular shape. The middle of the plate contains a decoration in the form of a medallion with a diameter of 93 mm bearing the
image of a women on horseback[...] The horse is depicted moving in a trot, indicated by the uplifted left leg and the raised tail, the woman’s pose makes it apparent that the horse
has the function of a throne, which is a frequent motif in depictions of the goddess Epona [...] The proportions in the image are not balanced. The horse is smaller than the woman, which is a consequence of iconographic perspective, typical of depictions of goddesses. Furthermore, the woman’s head is disproportionately large in relation to the
body, which is probably the result of an unsuccessful attempt to illustrate the sitting position. In this depiction, Epona has braided hair with a part and a bun on the back of her head and a “jewel” on her forehead. In its current, soiled condition, it cannot be ascertained as to whether the folds on the forehead are a diadem or bangs braided into a hairstyle[...] Epona holds a cornucopia in her left hand, and a patera in her right
hand. She is dressed in a robe (pallium), with a bare right shoulder. The medallion is encircled by a border 8 mm wide, made of a series of beads and stylised palmettes. The
inscription EPONA is engraved on the undecorated surface around the medallion. The letters are filled with niello, which is customary for silver dishes of the time.'
Quantity
1
Production Place
Gallia
Weight
482 g
Length
1 cm
Comment
mid-3rd century AD
Material
Silver
Hoard
References:
Reference
This object
Yes
