Roman Bronze Horse Brooch

CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D.

1 1/4 in. (10.8 grams, 31 mm).

Modelled in the round, the neck with small engraved lines indicating mane, narrow body, short tail, the forelegs forming the pin’s catch. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance.

Literature

Cf. Hattatt, R., Ancient Brooches and Other Artefacts, Oxford, 1989, item 1643; a similar horse (with rider) in Melchart, W., Antike Kostbarkeiten aus Osterreichischem privatbesitz, Wien, 1997, fig.40.

Footnotes

The style of the animal is typical of the Pannonian area. It is different from similar fibulae in the western part of the empire, where there is more suggestion of movement. However, in general the head and body are modelled with realism, and the forelegs are acting as a wide flat catch-plate.

CONDITION

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LOT 0739