1st-2nd century AD. A silver plaque formed from a rectangular hammered sheet, a seated goddess (Salus?) embossed in repoussé, seated upon a throne and with the head slightly turned to the right, dressed in a long sleeved garment, her right hand holding the attribute of a snake, her long wavy hair falling to her shoulders, the edge of the plaque embossed with a double line of dots. See Daremberg & Saglio, Dictionnaire des Antiquités Grecques et Romaines, Paris, 1873-1917, s.v. Salus, fig.6090, for an image of Salus enthroned with the snake. 3.67 grams, 61mm (2 1/2"). Property of a gentleman from Vienna; from his private collection formed since 1970. Salus, among the Romans, was considered a Sabellian deity, that is of Sabine origin. However, neither her name nor her relations with the other deities personifying health and vigor (Straenia and Meditrina) seem to confirm this origin. In Rome she was invoked together with Janus and the Capitoline Triad. When the cult of Aesculapius was introduced to Rome in 293 BC, the goddess Salus came to be identified with Hygeia, daughter of the god, and one of her attributes became the serpent, symbol of Aesculapius. [No Reserve] For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price