Bronze Ram-Head Finial, Ancient Roman, Circa 1st Century BC – 1st Century AD
A hollow cast, heavy bronze finial in the shape of a Ram’s head, with an iron hanging loop and iron nail for affixing to a shaft. The head is rendered with large eyes and swept back horns of undulating lines. The surface has a fine deep green patina with some lighter deposits.
Apparently the end of a handled object, stylistically similar to patera handles in the British Museum (Walters 1899, Plate XXV, for example). Another similar object, pierced mouth missing the loop, is in the Metropolitan Museum, acquired 1931 (see Muscarella, “Bronze & Iron”, item 394).
Length: 2 1/16” - Height: 1”
