**First Time At Auction**

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A rare and quite remarkable bronze figure of a cautes or cautopates, an attendant of the sun god Mithras, depicted traditionally in a Phrygian cap and Persian style garments that emphasize the supposed oriental origins of the Mithraic cult. Standing contrapposto with weight on his left leg, the cult figure wears a short tunic over tight trousers a belt holding the tunic in place at the waist, and a long himation draped over the left shoulder. His right arm is outstretched to present a patera incised with an "X," while the left arm relaxed with the index finger pointing downwards, once holding a now-missing implement, likely a torch. Cautes and Cautopates are the torch-bearing attendants of the god Mithras. Usually depicted standing either side of the god, Cautes holds his torch up and Cautopates down, representing dichotomies such as the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sunrise and sunset, or life and death. Size: 1.6" L x 3.3" W x 6.8" H (4.1 cm x 8.4 cm x 17.3 cm); 8.3" H (21.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Mithraism, also known as the Mithraic mysteries or the Cult of Mithras, was a Roman mystery religion centered on the god Mithras. Although inspired by Iranian worship of the Zoroastrian divinity (yazata) Mithra, the Roman Mithras was linked to a new and distinctive imagery, and the level of continuity between Persian and Greco-Roman practice remains debatable. The mysteries were popular among the Imperial Roman army from the 1st to the 4th century CE.

This piece has ben exhibited at the Picker Art Gallery at Colgate University, Hamilton, New York from 1957 to 1996 and at Ball State University Art Museum, Indiana from 1996 to 2005.

Published in Royal Athena Galleries catalogue "Art of the Ancient World," IV, 1986, p. 106, no. 300

Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA; ex-E.K. collection, Canton, Michigan, USA, acquired from Royal Athena in 1987; ex-Sotheby's London, December 10-11, 1984, lot 262

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#184694

Was once holding a now-missing implement, likely a torch, in his left hand. Permanently adhered to custom stand. Some nicks and abrasions to surface but otherwise, excellent with good detail and nice patina.