Roman Equine Protome
2nd-4th century A.D. A bronze zoomorphic equine protome formed as the forequarters of a galloping horse, with a round-section body and semi-naturalistic detailing to the head and mane; perforation to the upper edge of the body for attachment. See Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques De Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, items 400-401, for comparable examples. 55 grams, 57 mm (2 1/4 in.). Found UK.Acquired in the 1970s, Yorkshire, UK.Property of a Bedfordshire, UK, gentleman. The bronze equine protome belongs to a well-known category of objects used to fasten caskets or furniture with animal protomes, especially panthers and horses, animals connected to the procession of the god Dionysus.