Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd to 4th century CE. A gorgeous miniature cast-bronze chariot fitting with a slender swan head projecting upwards towards a stylized majestic eagle head atop an octagonal shaft. The base of the shaft is has a similar eight-sided exterior construction with a cylindrical interior and a drilled perforation on one side, and a grooved ring just below the avian head. The eagle has a dense pattern of feathers on its head and neck, a deeply-curved beak, and narrowed almond-shaped eyes. The swan is defined by a lengthy tubular neck, slit-form eyes, and a conical beak. Covered in layers of green, blue-green, and russet patina, this is an exceedingly rare miniature example from the Roman Empire! Size: 0.9" W x 2.25" H (2.3 cm x 5.7 cm).

Roman chariots were not used for warfare, but instead in circuses and in triumphal processions. As a result, elaborate attachments like this - but of a larger size - 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 this would have had when made!

The eagle was a highly-symbolic animal among the Roman military and was a great symbol of pride and victory in the eyes of the legions. Known as "aquila" in Latin, the eagle was a representation of honor, victory, and cohesiveness within a legion. One member of each legion was referred to as an aquilifer, or "eagle-bearer," as it was their primary duty to carry and protect that legion's designated eagle standard. If ever an aquila was lost or stolen, it was the primary obligation of the aquilifer to go to any lengths to recover the standard and see to its safe return. Losing an eagle standard was considered a grave omen for its respective legion and would typically lead to distrust and paranoia among the legionaries. To quote a piece of historical fiction set in Roman Britain entitled The Eagle of the Ninth (Rosemary Sutcliff, 1954), "Eagle lost, honor lost; honor lost, all lost."

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#137063

Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, small losses to base and a few areas of the shaft, fading to some finer details, and light roughness across most surfaces. Light earthen deposits and great green, blue-green, and russet patina throughout.