Gundestrup Caldron
Quick Summary
The Gundestrup Caldron is a silver vessel dating to the 1st century BC, discovered in Denmark. It is considered a significant artifact of Celtic art and religion. The cauldron is decorated with repoussé scenes that are believed to depict various aspects of Celtic mythology and ritual.1
One prominent depiction on the interior of the cauldron is of the horned deity known as Cernunnos, often referred to as the "Lord of the Animals". This imagery, along with other zoomorphic figures and scenes, suggests the cauldron was used in religious or ceremonial contexts. The exact purpose and meaning of the Gundestrup Caldron remain subjects of scholarly discussion, but it offers valuable insights into the beliefs and artistic expressions of the ancient Celts.1
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Cernunnos…to be portrayed on the Gundestrup Caldron, a silver vessel found at Gundestrup in Jutland, Denmark, and dating to about the 1st century bce.
Read More…to be portrayed on the Gundestrup Caldron, a silver vessel found at Gundestrup in Jutland, Denmark, and dating to about the 1st century bce.
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Celtic religionZoomorphic deitiesThe interior relief of the Gundestrup Caldron, a 1st-century-bc vessel found in Denmark, provides a striking depiction of the antlered Cernunnos as “Lord of the Animals,” seated in the yogic lotus position and accompanied by a ram-headed serpent; in this role he closely resembles the Hindu god Śiva in the…
Read MoreThe interior relief of the Gundestrup Caldron, a 1st-century-bc vessel found in Denmark, provides a striking depiction of the antlered Cernunnos as “Lord of the Animals,” seated in the yogic lotus position and accompanied by a ram-headed serpent; in this role he closely resembles the Hindu god Śiva in the…
Read More