Two yoke fittings from the harness of a Roman... Lot 18

Two yoke fittings from the harness of a Roman chariot. Rectangular base plate, hollow at the bottom, with a solid, thick-barred ring inside for attachment to the yoke construction. On the back of the base plate a cylindrical grommet with lateral projections at the upper end, in these a hole for the attachment of a wooden staff. The wall of the spout profiled by two beads at the top and in the middle, these bordered at the top and bottom by notched moldings. The bead provided with a lesbian kymation at the upper edge. Incised wavy vine decoration between the two beads. In front of it a fully sculptured group of figures: an Eros with a typical boy's hairstyle and small wings sits on the back of a crouching panther and grasps one of his ears. The panther rests a front paw on a satyr mask at the corner of the base plate. Width ca. 5.5 cm, length ca. 10 cm, height ca. 12 cm. Charming small sculpture with finely worked anatomical details and a beautiful dark green patina. Provenance: From an Austrian private collection, acquired in the 1970s in the Austrian art trade. Condition: I - II