Watch List notes:

Uncertain, circa 6th century. Amulet (Lead, 28 mm, 6.83 g, 12 h). Nimbate Holy Rider on horseback to right, spearing female demon with a cruciform scepter. Rev. Uncertain object surmounted by cross within diadem, flanked by figures of the Moon, wearing crescent, on the left, and the Sun, radiate, on the right; below, lion leaping to left over serpent. Cf. Bonner 327 (a lead amuletic pendant). Somewhat corroded, otherwise, about 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 master of demons.