Ancient Roman Iron Cavalry Horse Bridle
17
days
09
hours
16
minutes
46
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 700 - € 850
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Ancient Roman iron cavalry horse bridle, 1st–2nd century AD, about 22 cm long, in good solid condition, authentic original, acquired in 2025 from the Netherlands; previously from an antique market; certificate of authenticity available upon request.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
A very rare ancient Roman forged iron horse bridle. The piece represents part of a functional equestrian harness assembly used for controlling and guiding a horse.
-> Horse tack was essential to Roman transport, cavalry service, and agricultural life. Bits and bridle fittings allowed the rider to guide the animal with greater precision, and such equipment formed an important part of both military and civilian horsemanship.
Length: ± 22 cm
Condition: good and solid condition. Signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Archaeological finds show that the Roman cavalry used sophisticated and decorative horse gear. This equestrian equipment was not only practical (designed to ensure control and communication between rider and horse), but also richly adorned, reflecting the status and prestige of its owner.
Ornamental bridles, bronze fittings, and intricately crafted pieces served as visual markers of rank, wealth, and military prowess, especially among elite cavalry units.
The Roman world depended heavily on horses for communication, transport, agriculture, and warfare. In the army especially, cavalry units required strong and practical equipment that could withstand repeated use. Iron bits, rings, and associated harness fittings were therefore indispensable elements of Roman horsemanship.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
A very rare ancient Roman forged iron horse bridle. The piece represents part of a functional equestrian harness assembly used for controlling and guiding a horse.
-> Horse tack was essential to Roman transport, cavalry service, and agricultural life. Bits and bridle fittings allowed the rider to guide the animal with greater precision, and such equipment formed an important part of both military and civilian horsemanship.
Length: ± 22 cm
Condition: good and solid condition. Signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Archaeological finds show that the Roman cavalry used sophisticated and decorative horse gear. This equestrian equipment was not only practical (designed to ensure control and communication between rider and horse), but also richly adorned, reflecting the status and prestige of its owner.
Ornamental bridles, bronze fittings, and intricately crafted pieces served as visual markers of rank, wealth, and military prowess, especially among elite cavalry units.
The Roman world depended heavily on horses for communication, transport, agriculture, and warfare. In the army especially, cavalry units required strong and practical equipment that could withstand repeated use. Iron bits, rings, and associated harness fittings were therefore indispensable elements of Roman horsemanship.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
1st - 2nd century AD
Name of object
Cavalry Horse Bridle
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2025
Material
Iron
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2025
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
