Horse Tack Ornament
This small bronze element, shaped as a pelta shield, decorated the horse tack of a German-Roman rider, probably fighting in the Imperial army.
The pelta was the traditional Thracian light infantry shield during Hellenistic times, and the shield of the legendary Amazons. During the Roman period it was used as an apotropaic ornament (a protection from the evil eye) and possibly a symbol of the warrior's virtues.
The pelta was the traditional Thracian light infantry shield during Hellenistic times, and the shield of the legendary Amazons. During the Roman period it was used as an apotropaic ornament (a protection from the evil eye) and possibly a symbol of the warrior's virtues.
Artwork Details
- Title: Horse Tack Ornament
- Date: 2nd–3rd century
- Culture: Roman-German
- Medium: Copper alloy
- Dimensions: H. 3/4 in. (1.9 cm); W. 7/8 in. (2.2 cm); Wt. 0.2 oz. (5.7 g)
- Classification: Equestrian Equipment-Horse Trappings
- Credit Line: Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942
- Object Number: 42.50.232
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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Roman-Germanic
2nd–3rd century
Roman or Thracian
1st–2nd century
Gallo-Roman
2nd–4th century
Gallo-Roman
2nd–3rd century
Iberian
5th–1st century BCE
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