Inv. n°: MMoCA660

Pair of Roman Horn-Shaped Fixtures Terminating in the Protome Head of a Boar

The horn is a cross between a horn of plenty ('cornupia') and an acanthus foot. Both boars are realistically portrayed, with two prominent tusks, trumpet-shaped, open ears, and a beady eye depicted as a dot that may have been incrusted with a gem. Each boar holds a scroll between its legs, unless this small piece of bronze served a purpose of balance.

h. 14 x w. 13 cm

2nd-3rd century AD

Bronze

Provenance

  • Private American collection, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
  • Ex collection Richard Wagner, 1960s
  • Acquired at Fortuna Fine Arts, Ltd., New York

Publications

  • C. Dauphin, Animals in the Ancient World. The Levett Bestiary, Levett Collection Series 2, France, 2014, pp. 68 and 98
  • C. Dauphin, Les animaux dans le monde antique. Le bestiaire Levett, Serie Collection Levett 2, France, 2016, p. 56, fig. 53 and p. 86

Exhibitions

  • Musée d'Art Classique de Mougins (MACM), Mougins, France, from June 2011

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