Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century CE. A striking cast bronze chariot fitting with projecting snake heads rising in sinuous curves from each side and a majestic eagle head atop a cylindrical shaft. The base of the shaft is flared and round. A hook projects from the neck of the eagle. The snakes are nearly identical, with shallow incisions giving them a dense pattern of scales on their exposed necks and heads. Each snake has well-defined eyes and their mouths open. The eagle also has a dense pattern of feathers on its head and neck, a deeply-curved beak, and narrowed eyes that give it a hunter's look. Size: 7" W x 4.75" H (17.8 cm x 12.1 cm); 6.9" H (17.5 cm) on included custom stand.

The eagle was a symbol of Roman's legions, and its fierceness and power is well represented here. Snakes are a common motif in Roman artwork, with a significance that might be surprising to modern people - they were associated with Aesculapius (Asclepius to the Greeks), god of medicine. Snakes (of the non-venomous sort) were kept as pets in Roman households to protect against vermin and mice, while venomous snakes were used in terrible punishments. The artist who created these did not try for enough realism to make the species identifiable, but instead took some artistic license to make them aesthetically pleasing.

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 that these would have been when made!

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#133383

Nice deep green patina over the surface, with some light encrustation in the lower profile areas.