Lucania. Metapontion circa 500-465 BC. Diobol AR

Lucania. Metapontion circa 500-465 BC.
Diobol AR

11 mm, 1,12 g

Six-grained ear of barley / Incuse bucranium.

Very Fine

Bucranium, from the Latin "bucranium" (plural: bucrania), refers to a decorative motif featuring the skull of an ox or a bull, often depicted with horns and sometimes adorned with garlands or other decorative elements. In ancient Greek and Roman art and architecture, bucrania were commonly used as ornamental motifs in various contexts, including on friezes, altars, and architectural elements such as cornices. The use of bucrania had symbolic significance in ancient cultures. In some contexts, they were associated with sacrifices and offerings to gods, as oxen were commonly used in religious rituals. Bucrania were also used in funerary contexts, symbolizing strength, fertility, and sometimes serving as protective symbols. Over time, the motif of the bucranium evolved and was adapted in different artistic styles and periods. It remained a popular decorative element throughout antiquity and continued to be used in various forms in later artistic traditions, including in Renaissance and Neoclassical art and architecture.