Relief Fragment of Two Men

A.D. 50–75

Medium

Bronze

Dimensions

26 × 13.8 cm

Status

In Museum Collection

Collect24 Art ID

C24-234752

Two men wearing togas turn to look at some action to their right. As is clear from the break of the piece on the right, they are all that remains of what was once a larger bronze relief frieze. Who do these men represent, and what was the subject of the frieze? The figures are clearly different ages and show strongly individualized, almost portrait-like features. The older man carries a scroll, which probably marks him as a priest. The larger scene may have shown some kind of sacrifice to the gods. Stylistic features of the figures' clothing and hairstyles date the relief to the reign of the Roman emperor Nero. The back of these figures is completely unfinished. This relief was reportedly found with the Statuette of a Goddess, probably Ceres, and the Statuette of Roma or Virtus. Together all of these pieces seem to have formed a group of relief sculpture, which may have served as appliqué decorating the same object, perhaps a chariot or a piece of furniture.