Mithras for sale! – A Cautes figure at auction in Monte Carlo (CIMRM 645 / 646)

Exciting news for those with rather more money than myself – a two foot (67 cms) tall statue of Cautes, one of the torch-bearers (“dadophores”), the attendants of Mithras, is up for sale at the Interencheres sale “From Caesar to Caesar” in Monte Carlo on the 8th August 2026. The lot is here on the auction house website. Here’s one of the images: The inscription is “Hymnus inbicto” (for “invicto”), “Hymnus (gives this) to the unconquered (god)”. The estimate is 30,000 euros – about $34,000 – although of course it will undoubtedly go for more, and the auction house commission and the tax add 30%. The item must have come originally from a Mithraeum somewhere. It’s immediate origin is from a “French private collection”. Earlier restorations indicate 18-19th century work. The website tells us that it was published in F. Cumont, Textes et Monuments figurés relatifs aux Mystères de Mithra, vol. 2 (1898). The inscription is no 162 (on p.122), who gave its origin as from Capena. It’s in CIL…