1st-2nd century AD. A carved marble statue fragment depicting the torso of an infantry soldier wearing a pleated tunic tied with a knotted belt; the right arms supporting a curved item, possibly a cornu military trumpet; mounted on a custom-made stand. Cf. Sumner, G. Roman Military Dress, Stroud, 2009, items 13, 29. 14.5 kg, 54cm including stand (21 1/4"). Property of a European gentleman living in London; acquired in the UK before 1980. A Cornicen was a junior officer and one of the trumpeters of the legion. In battle, he would use his horn, called the cornu, to draw the attention of the soldiers to any new order being signalled. Cornicines always marched at the head of the centuries, and were also used as assistants to a centurion.

Fine condition, chipped.