Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. Finely cast, a leaded bronze triple rein ring with a bull's head positioned above the three rings, created for a chariot - the reigns of the animals would have been threaded through the three rings which prevented tangling and thus helped the charioteer immensely. Rein rings like this are exceedingly rare and were created for important charioteers. The most coveted with decorated with animal renderings. The bull has a significant history in the ancient world, with representations from every culture, from the Minoans, to the Egyptians, and to the Greeks and Romans. The bull was central to the Roman's cult of Mithras with their central tenant of tauroctony, the sacred slaying of the bull. Size: 3.2" W x 3.2" H (8.1 cm x 8.1 cm); 4.25" H (10.8 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: ex-M. Kagan, New York, USA, 1988; E.B. collection, Orion, Michigan, USA, acquired from Royal Athena in October 1991. On loan to Picker Art Gallery, Colgate University, New York, USA and Fitchburg Art Museum, Massachusetts, USA from 1992 to 2016.
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#156858
Condition
Repairs to right ear, left horn, and small areas of rein rings, with resurfacing and overpainting along break lines. Abrasions and minor softening to finer details across obverse, with encrustations along verso. Great mottled patina throughout.