These decorative ornaments, modeled in the
forms of panthers resting one of their front paw
on a vase, are thought to have once decorated a
chariot. If this was the case, it was almost surely
a ceremonial quadriga, for racing and war
chariots would not have been embellished with
such beautiful adornments. We can imagine a
victorious general parading through the streets
of Rome. Crowds gather along the streets,
squeezing together to applaud his courage and
catch a glimpse of him strolling by in a luxurious
chariot. Since speed and mobility were
essentially unimportant, every available luxury
could be bestowed upon a ceremonial quadriga.
Imagine gold and ivory inlays decorating the
sides with scenes of the general’s victorious
conquest. Elaborate bronze fittings are well
known in the museums of the world, as well as
trappings, revealing that the horses that pulled
these chariots were equally embellished. These
bronze fittings depicting prowling panthers are
one such splendid example. Ancient symbols of
strength and power, these panthers must have
symbolized the fortitude and bravery of the
rider, be it an emperor or a military general.
With open, high, curving bases, this pair of feline
ornaments would have presumably once
decorated the upper railing of an ancient chariot.
The composition of each piece is masterful: the
body of the panther manages to fill the entire
space without seeming compacted in any way,
from the tip of the curved tail on one end of the
fitting to the front paw resting on the vase at the
edge of the other end. The vases, which appear
to be amphoras with spiraling scroll handles, are
flat, contrasting to the three-dimensional
modeling of the panthers. The panthers stand
tall, their heads held high in the air with open
mouths and protruding tongues. Incised lines
around the neck reproduce the texture of their
furry manes, while the folds around their eyes
are marvelously captured. Also impressive is the
ferocious set of fangs that fill their mouths.
Their large, powerful legs feature indications of
the musculature and tendons and their paws
feature individual toes and claws. The whole of
their two bodies have been incised with a motif
of dashes and circles that recreates both the
textual feeling of the fur as well as the spotted
pattern. A pair of undulating lines along the side
of the base indicates that no decorative detail
was overlooked. Nails would have been driven
through the hole in the back of the fittings,
opposite the tail and paws, in order to secure
this ornament into place along the railing of an
ancient ceremonial chariot. Although the
wooden frame of this quadriga has longs since
deteriorated, we can still imagine the luxurious
nature of such a ceremonial vehicle based the
beauty on the few decorative elements that have
survived.
- (X.0186)
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