Lot 452
**Originally Listed At $250**
Eastern Europe, Balkan region, Hellenistic to Roman period, Thrace, ca. 3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE. A splendid and stylized leaded bronze figure of a Thracian horseman, rendered with abstract simplicity and expressive detail characteristic of Hellenistic to Roman-period frontier art. Though the horse is now missing, the figure's wide-legged stance and raised arm clearly identify him as a mounted warrior. His pose suggests motion and command, embodying the martial vitality associated with Thracian identity. Solid-cast in a high-lead bronze alloy, the figure bears a rich green patina with subtle metallic undertones. His facial features are deeply incised, with large, round eyes and a slightly parted mouth. The torso is decorated with three punctate circular marks, possibly signifying armor, divine symbols, or ornamental detail. A ribbed coiffure caps the head, and the right arm, once likely holding a weapon or standard, is frozen mid-gesture, enhancing the figure's animated quality. Size: 0.3" L x 1.5" W x 1.8" H (0.8 cm x 3.8 cm x 4.6 cm)
The Thracian horseman - also called the Thracian Rider or Thracian Hero - was a popular religious motif in the Balkans from the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE, especially in Thrace, Macedonia, and Moesia. Typically shown as a solitary hunter on horseback, the rider moves left to right, often with a dog, boar, or lion beneath his mount, and sometimes approaches a sacred tree or female deity. Known in inscriptions as Heros or kyrios ("lord"), he functioned as a protector, healer, and heroic intercessor, combining elements of local warrior cults with Hellenistic and Roman traditions. Widely venerated, he was a symbol of strength, fertility, and divine aid, especially among rural and military communities. The motif evolved over time, absorbing Scythian and Greco-Roman influences, and may have inspired later Christian equestrian icons like Saint George. Even in miniature bronzes, like this one, the Thracian horseman embodies a powerful blend of martial identity and spiritual reverence.
Provenance: private Thousand Oaks, California, USA collection, acquired June 1, 2001 from a coin show
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#193776
- Condition: Light surface wear commensurate with age, but otherwise, intact and very nice with liberal remaining detail and rich patina throughout.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |