ROMAN FIGURINE

200

Miniature equestrian statuette, with a Horse-and-Rider, the figurine is probably supposed to represent Mars. 3rd - 4th Century. Cast as a single piece this artefact depicts a rider (wearing a Phrygian cap and cloak), the cloak is draped over his right shoulder and gathers around his left hand and flows out behind him. His hair flows out beneath his cap and is neck length and neatly cut. There is no extra detail on his legs or feet. He is riding the horse bare back.The horse is represented at the trot (its left foreleg is raised, as is its tail) and it wears a bridal around its head. Detail can be seen on the horse's ears and face. The horse's ears are also pricked indicating that the horse is alert. The horse appears to be anatomically correct, for a British stocking horse of the time. The horse's mane is just about visible. The soft appearance and lack of sharp outlines of this piece is typical of Romano-British cast metal work. The left arm of the rider is missing due to a casting flaw.Both back legs of the horse are broken suggesting that the base on which it stood was also integrally cast.