Gundestrup cauldron: Encyclopedia II - Gundestrup cauldron - Decoration

Gundestrup cauldron - Decoration

Gundestrup cauldron - Base Plate

The round base plate is dominated by a bull. On its back is a leaping man wielding a spear, attacking it. Two dogs are also shown, one over the bull's head, and another under its hooves.

Gundestrup cauldron - Exterior Plates

Each of the seven exterior plates centrally depicts a bust, probably of a deity. Plates a, b, c and d show bearded male figures, while the remaining three are female.

• On plate a, the bearded in each hand holds a much smaller man by the arm. Each of the two men reach upward towards a small boar. Under the feet of the men (on the shoulders of the god) are a dog on the left side and a winged horse on the right side.

• The god on plate b holds in each hand a sea-horse or dragon. The god has been associated with the Irish sea-god Manannan.

• On plate c, the god raises his empty fists. On his right shoulder is a man in a "boxing" position, and on his left shoulder a leaping figure with a small horseman underneath.

• Plate d shows a bearded god holding a stag by the hind quarters in each hand.

• The goddess on plate e is flanked by two smaller male busts.

• On plate f: the goddess holds a bird in her upriser right hand. Her left arm is horizontal, supporting a man and a dog lying on its back. She is flanked by two birds of prey on either side of her head. Her hair is being plaited by a small woman on the right.

• On plate g, the goddess has her arms crossed. On her right shoulder, a scene of a man fighting a lion is shown. On her left shoulder is a leaping figure similar to the one on plate c.

Gundestrup cauldron - Plate A: Horned God

Plate A centrally shows a horned male figure in a seated position, usually identified with Cernunnos. In its right hand, the figure is holding a torque, and with its left hand, it grips a horned serpent by the head. To the left is a stag with antlers very similar to the god's. Other animals surround the scene, canine, feline, bovine, and a human figure riding a fish or a dolphin. The scene has been compared to the Pashupati "lord of animals" of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Gundestrup cauldron - Plate B: Goddess with Wheels

Plate B shows the bust of a goddess, flanked by two six-spoked wheels and by mythical animals: two elephant-like creatures and two griffins. Under the bust is a large hound.

Gundestrup cauldron - Plate C: Broken Wheel

Plate C shows the bust of a bearded god holding on to a broken wheel. A smaller leaping figure with a horned helmet is also holding the rim of the wheel. Under the leaping figure is a horned serpent. The group is surrounded by elephants and griffins similar to those on plate B. The god has been associated with the irish Dagda. The wheel's spokes are rendered asymmetrical, but judging from the lower half, the wheel may have had twelve spokes, consistent with chariot burials excavated in East Yorkshire.

Gundestrup cauldron - Plate D: Bull Sacrifice

Plate D shows a scene of bull-slaying. Three bulls are depicted in a row, facing right. Each bull is attacked by a man with a sword. Under the hooves of each bull is a dog running to the right, and over the back of each bull is a cat, also running to the right.

Gundestrup cauldron - Plate E: Warrior Initiation

Plate E apparently displays a sort of initiation ritual. In the lower half, a line of warriors bearing spears and shields, accompanied by carnyx players march to the left. On the left side, a large figure is immersing a man in a cauldron. In the upper half, heading away from the cauldron, and probably having completed the initiation ritual are warriors on horseback. Interestingly, later Celtic myth features resurrection themes based on immersion of dead warriors in cauldrons.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Decoration", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki