ROMAN BRONZE RAM'S HEAD TERMINAL Imperial Period, circa 1st–3rd Century AD

ROMAN BRONZE RAM'S HEAD TERMINAL

Imperial Period, circa 1st–3rd Century AD

A superb hollow-cast bronze finial in the form of a ram's head, originally the terminal of a patera (libation bowl) handle or a fine furniture fitting. Beautifully modeled with heavy curling horns, swept-back ears, long muzzle and stippled fleece — the classic Roman sacrificial ram type associated with Mercury and pastoral abundance.

The head is hollow with a ribbed socket at the rear for the handle shank, and pierced laterally through the ears for the original iron attachment pin (hole still open, see photo 1). Lovely dark chocolate-brown patina with reddish cuprite highlights and light earthen deposits — untouched, stable, no repairs.

Weight: 23.7 g

Height: 26 mm (1.02")

Width across horns: 24 mm

Depth: 28 mm

Condition: Extremely fine. Horn tips intact (tiny ancient casting flaw at right tip), crisp facial details, open socket, natural patina. A textbook example of the type.

Provenance: Ex. US private collection, acquired Florida 2020s.