136. Cameo medallion from Sostra [Roman fortress near Troyan]
Gold-framed cameo pendant made of lazurite. Very well and wholly preserved. Flat back surface, cameo set in a gold frame, on the face cut into triangles. Flat loop is attached crosswise at the top. Pear-shaped cameo. Smooth back surface with white spots. Dark blue colour of the base. Miniature old fracture at the base shows white and blue section. Bust of Isis with a strong, calm and beautiful face carved in raised relief. Above the head a crescent with two vertical carved horns. Long hair, parted in the middle, falling on the shoulders. Hair strands defined with fine-cut lines. Smooth neck. Marked folds of garment. Precise and high-quality craftsmanship. A long-time worn pendant, judging by the deletions of the relief in its raised parts – nose and hair pieces.
Dimensions: 1.7 x 2.1 x 0.7 сm; plate thickness – 0.2 сm; relief height – 0.5 сm; diameter of loop 0.4 – 0.5 сm; width – 0.1 сm; thickness – 0.05 сm; 2nd–3th century A.D. МНХЗПИ – АM III 1.Published by Китов 2003, 108.
Ivan Hristov, SOSTRA Roman Castellum, Road-side Station and Settlements on the Road Oescus (Ulpia Oescus) – Philippopolis 2nd – 5th c.
“The worship of Eastern deities in the area of the castellum of Sostra is attested to by a cameo of lapis lazuli with an image of Isis. It was discovered in tumulus № 2 from the necropolis of the vicus, located south of the castellum.”
