Phalera Attis, Bronze

Large roman phalera with decorative three-dimensional depiction of Attis, the companion of Magna Mater Cybele. Their mystery cult was even practised in the provinces of Gallia and Germania. Handmade from solid silver!

SKU
463002
Lieferzeit
6-7 weeks
As low as €469.00
All prices include VAT, plus shipping costs

Phalera Attis, Silver

Our production starts with an wax model, which is detailled by hand and casted in an authentic and costly way afterwards. The metal cast is again intensively reworked, sanded and polished by hand. It is no thin sheet metal or a metal covered resin cast, but a massive and valuable piece of ancient history. Made from solid, massive silver! Diameter ca. 90mm, weight more than 200 gramms !

 

Phalera Attis, Silver

Discs with embossed decorations were widely used as applications and military medals. Famous are the depictions of centurions with many phalerae as military awards attached to a harness.

This phalera with the three-dimensional depiction of Attis was probably first attached to an roman centurion´s harness, proofed by the original rivet holes. Secondary, it was fitted to a decorative drinking bowl. This so-called Phiales are part of the silver treasure of Hildesheim, other examples were found at the roman villa of Boscoreale at the Gulf of Naples, which was destructed by the eruption of the Vesuv. Similiar decorations were fitted to chests or other furnitures.

Cybele is a mother goddess of Anatolian origins, the ancient Phrygia. She first seemed to be a metaphor for mother earth. In Rome, the Cybele-cult emerges in the 3rd century BC, in 191 BC the temple for Magna Mater was opened at the Palatine hill. She was a protective goddess for cities and fortresses and wears a crown depicting a city´s wall. The mystery cult of Attis and Cybele was widespread, even in Mainz, Trier or Cologne sanctuaries, temples and inscribtions were discovered. A connection between the local cult of the Matres and Matrones is likely and surely supported the spreading.
The Magna Mater was in love with the handsome youth Attis, but he preffered to marry another woman. The angry and jealous goddess punished him with madness, and in ecstasy Attis castrated himself. He died, and were his blood touched the earth, a pine - the sacred tree of Cybele - started to grow. Cybele regreted her behaviour and a sanctuary was built above his grave. The priests usually were eunuchs.

More Information
Delivery time 6-7 weeks
weight 0.230000
size 90 mm
Era Romans
Material Silver 925
Kind of replica Militaria
scope of delivery With rivets and instructions, ready to assemble.
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