Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 3rd century BCE. A wonderful pair of matched, nearly identical, bronze chariot fittings, both in the form of a bust of a young, seemingly nude man. Each bust rises from a decorative finial with a scalloped edge and a flared, round base. The faces of the men are tilted to one side, and they have wide, staring eyes, small mouths, lifelike noses, and heads full of curly hair that recall portraits of Alexander the Great or other glorious young men. Size: 3.3" W x 4.95" H (8.4 cm x 12.6 cm)
Roman chariots were not used for warfare, but instead in circuses and in triumphal processions. As a result, elaborate finials like these became de rigeur, lending a unique look to each chariot, where they were mounted on posts above each wheel. The carriage was supported by leather straps wrapped around the shaft and guided by the projecting arms. This absorbed the vibrations of the wooden wheels, making the ride smoother. Imagine the sun flashing off of the dark, polished bronze comprising these fittings!
A similar fitting sold at Christie's in 2010 for GBP 2000 (USD 2600): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-roman-bronze-chariot-fitting-circa-2nd-5358431-details.aspx
Provenance: private Davis collection, Houston, Texas, USA
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#132995
Condition
Both have deep turquoise patinas with some ancient deposits on their surfaces. The bronze on the upper chest of one presents a fissure, as shown in the photographs.