A ROMAN BRONZE FINIAL

CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.

Details

A ROMAN BRONZE FINIAL
CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
Depicting a togate magistrate with a horse's head standing amidst acanthus, his head angled down and to the right, a rotulus in his left hand, the right arm lowered, on a tall cylindrical spiral-fluted shaft, with zigzag and beaded moldings above and below, remains of an iron pin on the underside
3½ in. (8.8 cm.) high

Provenance

European Private Collection, 1957.

Lot Essay

This intriguing bronze offers several possible interpretations. It may illustrate a folk-tale, a scene from the theater or literature. It may also represent Incitatus, the favorite horse of Caligula. According to Suetonius, the Emperor intended to promote Incitatus to the title of Consul.

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