Rider figures appear in numerous cultures across the world. During the Roman occupation of Britain, many classical deities became syncretised with native ones. Although there is no epigraphic evidence to confirm it, the ‘rider gods’ may well fall into this category. Throughout Roman Britain, cults developed around ‘rider gods’ who were seen as either hunting or war related deities. They were widespread and produced a variety of material culture. It has been proposed that figurines such as this example were either votive offerings or ‘souvenirs’ collected by pilgrims. Similar imagery is also seen in brooch form and as stone carvings, such as the Stragglethorpe Rider relief.
Romano-British Bronze Statuette of Horse and Rider
£ 495.00
A fine Ancient Romano-British bronze statuette of a rider on horseback. The rider is wearing a crested helmet, cloak, bloused tunic and braccae, with his right arm raised and open as if to support a spear. His left arm is outstretched by his side. The facial features of the rider have been rendered with care, with small recesses for eyes, a nose, and a mouth still visible. His legs are curved and bent at the knee to fit the horse tightly. The horse is shown in movement, with its right foreleg raised, though this is now missing. Its body twists slightly to the left, following the lead of its head. In this way, the horse, in combination with its rider’s outstretched arms and sharply bent legs, gives the piece a strong sense of dynamic movement.
Dimensions without stand: L 5.2cm x W 2.1cm x H 5.1cm
Provenance: From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
Condition: Fine condition. A beautiful dark patina to the surface. The horse has been attached to the mount. The rider remains unattached. Some surface roughness as consistent with its age. The rider's left arm, parts of his cloak, the horse's legs and parts of the horse's face are now missing.
In stock
Weight | 80.27 g |
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Dimensions | L 5.2 x W 2.3 x H 6.8 cm |
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