Plate Fragment with Quadriga
Dublin Core
Title
Plate Fragment with Quadriga
Description
A fragment from the flat floor of a bowl with a small round pad base (probably Hayes Form 53A.) decorated with an applique of a frontal four-hourse chariot being driven by a victorious charioteer. The orange-red clay is slightly grainy but fine in texture and the upper surface is darker and slightly glossy due to a coat of slip. The floor wall is relatively thin.
Function:
A decorative device celebrating a victory in a chariot race on an open bowl whose form and decoration were probably derived from more expensive silver dishes.
Decoration:
The horses drawing the chariot are arranged in pairs, one pair on either side of a central vertical shaft and are shown in three-quarter view with their bodies turned to the side. They are placed on a relief ground line that is decorated with an intaglio wavy pattern with small oval shapes between the waves. The left-hand horse is complete and is shown stepping forward with its right legs raised while the right-hand horse is missing its forelimbs and left hind foot. There are no remains of the outer right-hand horse, but the left forelimb, neck and front half of the outer horse are included (the rest of the rear part of the body is obscured by the inner left-hand horse). The heads of the inner horse of each pair turn into the midline.Comparison with a complete applique that seems to be exactly similar suggests that the outer horses would originally have looked to the outside. The horses have elaborate harnesses that include a bridle with a feathered or tufted headdress, a girth strap and another strap around the lower neck, patterned with circles or zig-zags (right girth).
One wheel of the chariot can be seen behind the inner left-hand horse's left front leg. The central shaft is arranged at right angles to the horizontal yoke; together they form a T-shape. Above the yoke is the semi-circular front of the chariot. It has an outer raised border with a scalloped pattern in relief beneath.
A standing charioteer drives the horses, but only his torso with its cord lacing securing his tunic remains plus his left arm. His left hand rests on the chariot front. In the intact example he holds a wreath aloft in his right hand, signifying victory (see 83.080 for an example of the head and right arm of this motif)
Function:
A decorative device celebrating a victory in a chariot race on an open bowl whose form and decoration were probably derived from more expensive silver dishes.
Decoration:
The horses drawing the chariot are arranged in pairs, one pair on either side of a central vertical shaft and are shown in three-quarter view with their bodies turned to the side. They are placed on a relief ground line that is decorated with an intaglio wavy pattern with small oval shapes between the waves. The left-hand horse is complete and is shown stepping forward with its right legs raised while the right-hand horse is missing its forelimbs and left hind foot. There are no remains of the outer right-hand horse, but the left forelimb, neck and front half of the outer horse are included (the rest of the rear part of the body is obscured by the inner left-hand horse). The heads of the inner horse of each pair turn into the midline.Comparison with a complete applique that seems to be exactly similar suggests that the outer horses would originally have looked to the outside. The horses have elaborate harnesses that include a bridle with a feathered or tufted headdress, a girth strap and another strap around the lower neck, patterned with circles or zig-zags (right girth).
One wheel of the chariot can be seen behind the inner left-hand horse's left front leg. The central shaft is arranged at right angles to the horizontal yoke; together they form a T-shape. Above the yoke is the semi-circular front of the chariot. It has an outer raised border with a scalloped pattern in relief beneath.
A standing charioteer drives the horses, but only his torso with its cord lacing securing his tunic remains plus his left arm. His left hand rests on the chariot front. In the intact example he holds a wreath aloft in his right hand, signifying victory (see 83.080 for an example of the head and right arm of this motif)
Creator
El Djem, Tunisia
Format
Moulding
Identifier
83.079
Date Accepted
350-430 CE
Extent
113x92 mm
Medium
Terracotta
Provenance
Purchased from B. A. Seaby Ltd, London, 1983.
Files
Citation
El Djem, Tunisia, “Plate Fragment with Quadriga,” RD Milns Antiquities Museum Online Exhibitions, accessed May 6, 2024, https://uqantiquitiesonlineexhibitions.omeka.net/items/show/429.