A Roman girth holder for a chariot with a horse,... Lot 47

A Roman girth holder for a chariot with a horse, 2nd - 3rd century Girth holder from a damper of a Roman traveling coach (movable suspension of the coach body via straps on stakes, with the girth holders located on either end). Quadrangular socket for attachment onto the stake, flanked by massive vines facetted on the outside, terminating into four leaves at top, the inside longer and extending to the socket. On top a bellied "vessel with flaring rim", flanked by two S-shaped vines, in each lower bow a dog's head. Above on a pedestal the portrayal of a sturdy draught horse with a column under its abdomen. The horse with bridle and reins. Fine, dark green patina. Height 17.2 cm. Impressive Roman sculpture of a horse. Provenance: Portuguese private collection, purchased in the 1970s from an art dealer. Published in Tomar Milenário, Catálogo de exposicao histórica. Tomar 1988, p. 15, fig. top, and p. 21, no. 471. Condition: II