ASIA MINOR. Uncertain. Amulet (Lead, 44 mm, 22.91 g), circa 4th-6th centuries. Deity randing on a lion to left, facing an attendant standing to right; in upper left field, pellet; all within decorated border. Rev. Blank. Cf. Leu Web Auction 14 (2020), 1071 (for similar imagery). A large and impressive amulet. Somewhat rough, otherwise, very fine.

Several deities from antiquity were portrayed in association with lions, especially solar deities. The imagery on our amulet resembles the Anatolian sun god Sandan, who is portrayed on coins of the Seleucids and on the Roman provincial coinage of the Cilician city of Tarsus. Some hardstone amulets, too, portray Helios standing on a lion, as well as a winged deity usually described as Pantheos