Roman Rider Statuette

4th century AD. A bronze statuette of a military commander, wearing a diadem, the body clad in a leather corset with attached hanging protections pteryges similar to the one of the Venetian Tetrarchs, sleeved tunic, long trousers, cavalry boots, the left hand once holding the reins of his horse, the right hand raised in attack signal; mounted on a custom-made display stand. S. Casson L., 'The Thracians' in The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin Vol.35, No. 1, Summer, 1977, pp.2-6. 64 grams total, 88mm including stand (3 1/2"). From the private collection of Antony John Scammell (1937-2019); acquired on the UK art market from 1960-2000. The representation of the Thracian rider or Eques Solis were transformed, during the late Empire, in the image of Roman commanders and cavalrymen fighting against barbarian warriors and wild animals. The new image well fitted with the improvement of the Roman cavalry forces since the reforms of Gallienus and Aurelian, in the second half of 3rd century AD. Antony John Scammell (1937-2019) was born, and lived his entire life, in the city of Bristol, England. Already from an early age he was enthralled by history and the heroes that it created. While serving overseas with the British Army, Antony began collecting coins and banknotes and this led to collecting a variety of different items throughout his life. From the early 1960s onward, Antony invested in acquiring ancient artefacts. Antony's vast collections started with Egyptian antiquities, but soon branched into Greek and Roman civilisations. The Roman civilisation fascinated him most and, when family commitments allowed, archaeological digs were coordinated in the west of England. These digs uncovered numerous artefacts, many of which were donated to local museums. In retirement, the collecting continued apace, branching into UK coins, British Empire banknotes and fossils.
Condition Report: Fine condition.