This small bronze element, shaped as a pelta shield, decorated the horse tack of a German-Roman rider, probably fighting in the Imperial army.
The pelta was the traditional Thracian light infantry shield during Hellenistic times, and the shield of the legendary Amazons. During the Roman period it was used as an apotropaic ornament (a protection from the evil eye) and possibly a symbol of the warrior's virtues.
Credit: Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942
2nd-3rd century
Copper alloy
3.5cm
42.50.231
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019
Where you'll find this
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection