18th century AD. A flat discoid marble(?) plaque with high relief image of nude, winged Nike kneeling to sacrifice a bull with a dagger; the bull resting on a tiered base, head drawn up vertical, forelegs bent; Nike kneeling on the bull's back, draped robe to the right shoulder, wings extended to the rear, left hand to the bull's muzzle, right hand raised with dagger above the bull's head. See Mark, I.S. The Sanctuary of Athena Nike in Athens: Architectural Stages and Chronology, American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Volume XXV, 1993 for discussion of the Nike cult. 32 grams, 61mm (2 1/2"). Property of a Lincolnshire collector; acquired on the UK art market, 2010-2015. A scene of Nike sacrificing a bull appeared on the temple of Athena Nike at Athens, now in the British Museum, London, under accession number 1885,1212.1 . Another is in the Athens Acropolis museum (Acr.972"). Nike, the goddess embodying victory, was sometimes a patroness of competition in the games as well as of military conquest. A torch race, possibly the Lampas of Panathenaia, was concluded with the sacrifice of a bovine to Nike, as shown on a number of 4th century BC vases.

Fine condition, edge chipped, usage wear.