The Walters Art Museum

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Head of a Horse

Anonymous (Roman)

ca. AD 40 (Julio-Claudian)

gilt bronze

24 x 17 15/16 x 7 in. (61 x 45.6 x 17.8 cm)

Description
Originally part of a large equestrian monument, this head allows us to imagine what was a common sight for the ancient viewer: imposing public statuary that embodied the civic values of imperial Rome. Military officials were often depicted on horseback, and the rider that was represented on the monument was likely a member of the imperial family. Such statues contained large amounts of bronze, and most were melted down for reuse in weapons and other implements in later times of crisis.
Additional Information

Acquired by Henry Walters with the Massarenti Collection, 1902

54.759

Centre Street: Second Floor: Roman Art

Roman

Julio-Claudian Dynasty

Suasa (in present-day Italy) (?)


Provenance

Casteleone de Suasa (?) [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; D. Emmanuele Ruspoli, Rome (?) [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Don Marcello Massarenti Collection, Rome [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1902, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

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