ITEM: Fragment of belt depicting a horse MATERIAL: Bronze CULTURE: Italic, Samnite PERIOD: 4th Century B.C DIMENSIONS: 205 mm x 78 mm (main piece), 275 mm x 78 mm (with 2 pieces) CONDITION: Good condition PROVENANCE: Ex Iris Cornelia collection, formed between 1950 - 1970, was an American archaeologist. Exhibited in The Brooklyn Museum of Art between 1968 - 2000 The Samnite bronze belt is one of the most distinctive and widely recognized artifacts of the ancient Italic warrior culture, flourishing between the 5th and 3rd centuries BCE. Worn primarily by elite men as a symbol of status, military prowess, and coming-of-age, these wide metal bands were meticulously crafted from thin sheets of bronze and fastened with elaborate, stylized hooks. Beyond their practical function in securing armor, the belts served as a canvas for intricate repoussé and engraved decorations that reflected the religious beliefs, mythology, and daily life of the Samnite people. Among the various motifs discovered on these artifacts, the depiction of the horse holds significant cultural and symbolic weight. To the Samnites, an aristocratic society heavily reliant on cavalry and pastoralism, the horse was not merely a tool of war or transportation, but an emblem of prestige, nobility, and high social standing. When engraved onto a belt, a horse often symbolized the wearer's role as a horseman or a member of the wealthy elite, while also invoking protective qualities associated with the animal's strength and speed. Artistically, these representations of horses on Samnite belts range from highly stylized, geometric silhouettes to more fluid, dynamic figures influenced by Greek and Etruscan artistic traditions. The animals are frequently depicted in motion—either galloping, rearing, or flanked by geometric patterns and sacred symbols that suggest a ritualistic or heroic context. Today, these rare surviving specimens offer archaeologists invaluable insight into the exceptional metalworking skills of Samnite artisans and the deeply embedded warrior ethos of pre-Roman Italy. Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license If you bid outside the European Union and win the item, we will have to apply for an export licence for your country and shipping will take 3 to 5 weeks.