Roman Iron 'Hipposandalus' Military Horseshoe
1st-4th century A.D.. Iron shoe with lateral curved plates and vertical bar to the front, rear panel with hooked spur for attachment. Cf. Junkelmann, M., Die Reiter Roms, Teil III: Zubehor, Reitweise, Bewaffnung Mainz, 1992, fig.100-102 for the type (type I of Junkelmann's classification). 350 grams, 16.5 cm (6 1/2 in.).

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.

Hipposandals (soleae ferreae) were used on horses with injured hooves, a sort of equine orthopaedic shoe used by the mulomedicus, i.e. a Roman military veterinarian. Another important function was that to protect the hooves of the horse from injuries and damages from hard objects. The hipposandal of type 1 was formed from a sub-oval plate which tapered towards the front and rear with projections at the front, back and on either side. The heel was upturned at about 45 degrees and flared outwards. It would have terminated with a downward facing hook, now missing. The base of the sole was flat. [No Reserve]