Brown sard gem: Mithras slaying the bull

PP-ID:

PP-4447

Classification:

Mithraic amulet

Collection ID:

Southesk, N 64

Collection:

Whereabouts unknown

Collection Inventory:

N 64

Reference Numbers:

CBd, no. 4447

Former Collections:

Southesk, James Carnegie, Earl of (1827–1905)

Material:

sard (brown)

Dimensions:

3.5 × 2.5 mm

Iconography:

Mithras; tunic; mantle; cap, Phrygian; knife; bull; dog; snake; Cautes; Cautopates; dagger; torch; Helios; Selene; busts (2); stars; cave

Brown sard gem; transverse oval, flat. (Shape 8). Set in a gold mount.

Side A: Mithras, turned left, dressed in a tunic, a mantle and wearing a Phrygian cap, slaying a bull with a knife. A dog is running towards the wound of the bull from the left. Below: a snake. The scene is flanked by two male figures on each side (Cautes and Cautopates), both wearing Phrygian caps and holding a torch or a dagger. The figures are represented in a cave with several stars and the busts of Sol and Luna.
Side B: Undecorated.

Selected bibliography
Southesk 1908 >>, 182–183, pl. 14, no. N 64.

L. Bricault – R. Veymiers
w/ Phoinix-team, 2025

✓

Last modified:

2025.08.19 08:58:55

Permalink:

https://phoinixplatform.org/object/4447

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Credits After Southesk 1908, pl. 14, N 64

Notes Side A of PP-4447 (mirror image of cast)