Gilt Bronzes from Cartoceto di Pergola

The Golden bronzes of Cartoceto di Pergola are the only Roman gilded bronze equestrian group that has survived until today. Originally it consisted of two horses with two knights, only one of which is present, and two standing women.

Discovery and restoration

In June 1946, hundreds of small gilt bronze pieces were found in Santa Lucia di Calamello near Pergola in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, Italy. Some of these artefacts weighed several hundred kilograms. The discovery is the canon Giovanni Vernarecci attributed, who was the archaeological inspector of the diocese Fossombrone at this time. The happy circumstances of the discovery are passed down through his machine written testimony. The restoration of the finds in its current state was done by Giovanni Vernarecci and Nereo Alfieri, the then Regional Inspector of Superintendence for Antiques in brands. The restoration was carried out from 1949 to 1988 in several phases. A total of 318 pieces were assembled into four figures.

Original locality

The finds were found not far from the intersection of the Via Flaminia and Via Salaria Gallica. This location, far from any urban center, has led to the assumption that the statues were removed from their original location and in late antiquity, or during the Byzantine rule was transferred to this place - some hypotheses assume that this damnatio on a memoriae is due.

The original location of the statues is still uncertain. The most widespread hypothesis assumes that the character group originally stood on a pedestal in a public place, probably on a town near the present locality forum. The most likely places are the forum Sempronii in Fossombrone, the nearest town, the Forum in Sentinum today Sassoferrato, which could be proved the existence of a foundry for large statues, or the forum in Suasa; there also large fragments of a similar gilt bronze horse were found (these are now in the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore).

Identification

The figure group consists of two riders on horseback and two standing women. Probably the people depicted were all members of the Roman senate families. The identification of these persons is still out, although several hypotheses have been proposed. Originally, the group was identified as the imperial family of the Julio - Claudian dynasty, consequently, the statues were dated to between 20 and 30 AD: The riders are therefore as Nero Caesar and Drusus III, the sons of Germanicus, identified, and the women as Livia Drusilla ( Germanicus mother) and Agrippina the Elder ( Germanicus wife).

Nowadays, a hypothesis is preferred, the BC and 30 BC accepts a date between 50 and the persons identified as members of a respected Legatenfamilie from the surrounding area of the locality, the Ager Gallicus. There have been proposed some families coming into question, including both the family of Domitius Ahenobarbus, as well as that of Marcus Satrius ( Senator and patron of Sentinum today Sassoferrato ) and that of Lucius Minucius Basilus (founder of Cupra Maritima, today Cupra Marittima).

Another hypothesis sees the origin of the group in the Heraion of Samos on the island of Samos and the people as a family of Cicero, who is identified as one of the riders.

Technology and Material

The statues were made ​​in the lost wax method based on a copper alloy containing traces of lead. After finishing the statues were covered with gold leaf.

Controversy

Because of its exceptional archaeological importance ensued a long controversy over the question of ownership and whereabouts between the Superintendence for Archaeological goods Province brands ( Superintendence per i Beni Archeologici delle Marche ) and the city of Pergola. The dispute whether the statues in the National Archaeological Museum of Brands in Ancona or the Municipal Museum to be exhibited in Pergola, was solved by a compromise. Today, the original statues or a perfect copy thereof are alternately displayed in both museums.

Another copy showing the statues in their presumed original state, standing on the roof of the Palazzo Ferretti (the building of the National Archaeological Museum of marks) in Ancona as a symbol of archeology in brands.