966 - 14 yoke fittings and 6 horse harness fittings from Roman chariot harnesses, 2nd–3rd century A.D.

14 yoke fittings and 6 horse harness fittings from Roman chariot harnesses, 2nd–3rd century A.D. 1–2) Two solid, cast pendants with a square base from horse harnesses, featuring a roof-shaped profile in the center; the outer edges are openwork decorated with pelts and volutes; an eyelet for hanging is present on the reverse side. The border decoration is partially broken off. The surface has been cleaned; the reverse side features inlays. Preserved height: 12 and 9.8 cm. 3–7) Five yoke fittings with a roof-shaped profile on the top; on the underside, spikes or loops for attachment to the assembled yoke. Top cleaned; underside with inlays. Length of the tops: 5.3 cm (4x) and 7.5 cm. Height: 4.7 cm – 12.7 cm. 8–12) Five polyhedral rein guides, three with spikes on the back for attachment to the yoke or harness. All feature silver inlays and some have applied rosettes. Covered with oxides and inlays. Length of each: 4.5 cm; height of pieces with spikes: 8.5 cm – 10 cm. 13–16) Two sheet-metal pendants and two sheet-metal appliqués from horse harness. One rectangular and three round bases, openwork-decorated on the outside with fur motifs and volutes. The surfaces are covered with ornaments and silver plating. Surfaces show inlays and chips along the edges. Height 4.5 cm – 13.6 cm. 17–18) Two massive decorative rivets with round heads and a shank on the back, one with two eyelets on the side. Diameters 10 cm and 9.5 cm (excluding eyelets). 19–20) Two large fittings with a disc-shaped base and a rectangular plate atop a cone. One is solidly cast and has an eyelet at the top for attaching reins; the other is made of sheet metal and has two rings attached to eyelets on the sides. The sheet-metal one is decorated with silver inlays and ornaments, similar to the fittings listed under 13–16. Both are covered with oxides and incrustations. Diameters: 14 cm and 16 cm. Heights: 9.5 cm and 14 cm. An interesting group of objects illustrating the technology of Roman horse-drawn carts. CULTURAL HERITAGE! Provenance: From the Axel Guttmann Collection, acquired in the 1990s on the German art market. Condition: II -