Horse harness phalera

Object/Artifact

-

Trimontium Museum

Name/Title

Horse harness phalera

Entry/Object ID

L.2021.19

Description

Round horse harness phalera with pendant

Use

Would have been used to adorn the harness. While the preservation of this phalera with its pendant is in good condition, the details have been muted over time. The embellishments of the pendant would have served similarly to medals, showcasing the barer's military achievements.

Context

Found in Germany

Collection

HvG

Category

Cavalry Equipment

Acquisition

Source (if not Accessioned)

Holger von Grawert

Notes

Loan

Made/Created

Time Period

1st - 2nd century

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Continent

Europe

Culture/Tribe

Romano Germanic

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Hardware, Harness

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Tack, Animal

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Land Transportation Accessories

Nomenclature Class

Land Transportation T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 07: Distribution & Transportation Objects

Getty AAT

Concept

phalerae

Materials

Material

Bronze, Niello

Material Notes

Niello inlay

Color

Gray, Brown, Tan

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Provenance

Notes

Ex private collection Berlin

Exhibition

Permanent Exhibition

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Exhibition Caption

Label

Horse tack (the reins, bridle and harness) was highly decorated. Leather straps were joined with bronze fittings. Bronze pendants, often coloured using enamel, strings of blue glass beads worn around the horse’s neck and decorative plates on the saddle added to the splendour of horse and rider. A fully-equipped cavalryman must have created a sense of shock and awe