Chariot element

Hook for fastening to the yoke made by solid casting; it is characterised by a zoomorphic forepart reproducing a lion protome (lion's head), whose mane is characterised by horizontal curvilinear lines. The body of the animal continues and ends in a long element that, due to a deformation, does not have the typical boar's tusk shape. Under the body of the animal there is a ring for fixing the object to a cart or a horse. The artefact can be attributed to a local production; on the basis of stylistic analysis it could be dated to the late imperial age.
Found in Reggio Emilia during the works for the new gate of S. Croce, 1860.