Anonymous, circa 7th century. Amulet (Lead, 26 mm, 4.49 g, 12 h), Holy Rider amulet. Holy Rider galloping right, spearing demon laying prostrate on the ground. Rev. Emperor (?) enthroned, holding globus cruciger; to left and right, attendants. Apparently unpublished. Breakage along the edges, otherwise, very fine.


'Holy Rider' imagery appears on a large and heterogeneous group of mostly haematite, bronze and lead amulets. Their date is debated, but most objects appear to originate from the 5th and 6th centuries. On the gems, the Holy Rider is usually named 'Solomon' in allusion to the Late Antique tradition of King Solomon as a master of demons.