A Roman Limestone Fragment of a Horse Head, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 1st - 2nd century CE Jewelry - Earrings Because it was prohibitively expensive

Because it was prohibitively expensive for most families to bury the dead with actual lacquer vessels

Medium:  Cedar Wood

they were believed to safeguard both the king and the cosmic order

agate was used as a talisman to improve attention to detail

The forms were cut from thin sheet gold

A Roman Limestone Fragment of a Horse Head, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 1st - 2nd century CE Jewelry - Earrings Because it was prohibitively expensiveThis finely carved fragment depicts the head of a horse in raised relief, likely from a larger funerary monument, possibly a sarcophagus. The sculptor has achieved a notable degree of naturalism within a compact format, emphasizing the animal's vitality through carefully articulated features. The wavy mane is indicated with rhythmic, shallow carving, while the eyes are deeply set and alert, lending an expressive intensity to the fragment. The flared