967 - 28 fittings from the yoke and harness of draft animals and a carriage fitting, Roman, 2nd–3rd centuries A.D.

28 fittings from the yoke and harness of draft animals and a carriage fitting, Roman, 2nd–3rd centuries A.D. 1–13) Bronze yoke fittings. Among them are three pairs of solid, octagonal rein rings with a sturdy eyelet beneath a square plate, height 9 cm–11 cm; two smaller rein rings of varying shapes with eyelets, height 5.5 cm–6.5 cm; two rein rings with a domed, square-tapered base and eyelets below, height 7.5 cm; A fragment of a rein guide ring with petal-like decorations and a broken stem, preserved height 6.1 cm; a rein guide ring with a base consisting of profiled, crosswise-arranged, rounded bands, height 9.5 cm; an angular, hollow fitting to cover the tip of the yoke, with two lateral rivets above the pointed ends, width 11.5 cm. 14–15) Two iron parts from the harness: an anchor-shaped element with eyelets at the upper and lower ends, length 11.7 cm; a vase-shaped sheet of iron with a square-shaped prong at the top and bottom, formerly completely covered with bronze sheet on one side, length 29.7 cm. 16) A cylindrical, solid bronze fitting, with a faceted, domed top, a flared rim at the bottom, and a hook curved upward for the “spring-loaded” suspension of the wagon body. Height 8 cm. 17) Bronze side toggle from an elaborately crafted bridle with an iron bit. Very beautiful, shiny olive-green patina. Length 15.3 cm. 18–22) Five buckle bars with trapezoidal bases from leather straps; the iron pins are missing. Length 3 cm–3.2 cm. 23–24) Two double buttons for threading through the slots in straps, one with a star-shaped notch on the top; height 1.2 cm and 1.3 cm, diameter 1.5 cm each. 25) Faceted tube with a conical, ribbed end. Height 3 cm. 26–28) Three disc-shaped, hollow bronze cases with four holes for the intersection of two straps. The top of each is turned with concentric circles and a shallow profile; in the center is a profiled, cone-shaped knob. The back is smooth. Diameter: 4.2 cm each. Patina, partly with a beautifully lustrous surface, in various shades of green. CULTURAL HERITAGE! Provenance: Private collection in southern Germany, acquired at the beginning of the millennium from the collector’s father, who passed away in 2013. Condition: I -