Rare Ancient British Celtic Sandstone Shrine Figure
A Rare Ancient British Celtic Sandstone Shrine Figure of a Sacred Deity Squatting with Arms Raised above the Head Holding an Offering Dish
2nd Century BC - 1st Century BC
Size: 25cm high, 15.5cm wide, 17cm deep - 9¾ ins high, 6 ins wide, 6¾ ins deep
2nd Century BC - 1st Century BC
Size: 25cm high, 15.5cm wide, 17cm deep - 9¾ ins high, 6 ins wide, 6¾ ins deep
A Rare Ancient British Celtic Sandstone Shrine Figure of a Sacred Deity Squatting with Arms Raised above the Head Holding an Offering Dish
2nd Century BC - 1st Century BC
Size: 25cm high, 15.5cm wide, 17cm deep - 9¾ ins high, 6 ins wide, 6¾ ins deep
2nd Century BC - 1st Century BC
Size: 25cm high, 15.5cm wide, 17cm deep - 9¾ ins high, 6 ins wide, 6¾ ins deep
An expressionless disconcerting countenance gives this unusual Celtic sculpture a powerful presence. It is probable that was used as a portable wayside shrine with the dished top used for libations and offerings. The Celtic reverence for the natural world is displayed by the deified heads found by sacred springs, pools and rivers, but they also placed them near important landmarks that they deemed important to the veneration of a particular deity. Wells were thought to be one of the entrances to the otherworld and ritual offerings were often made to them. Springs and rivers were linked in the Celtic mind with fertility and life and so were the tangible manifestation of the invisible powers they worshipped.
Found in a dry stone wall in Derbyshire
Ex Private English collection
Rare Ancient British Celtic Sandstone Shrine Figure
SOLD
