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Horse's Head of Waldgirmes

The Horse's head of Waldgirmes is part of a gilded bronze Roman sculpture, presumably an equestrian statue of Emperor Augustus. It was discovered in 2009 in a field near the former Roman Forum of Lahnau-Waldgirmes in Hesse, Germany. The forum was a fortified Roman trading place and contains the oldest known stone buildings in Magna Germania. Since August 19, 2018, the horse's head has been on display in the Saalburgmuseum in Saalburg, Germany.

Waldgirmes horse head bronze sculpture with an open mouth and a medallion on the bridle
The Waldgirmes Horse\'s Head, a partially gilded bronze sculpture displayed on a stand.
August 2018 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Waldgirmes horse head with ornate metal detailing and medallions on the forehead and cheek
The Waldgirmes horse’s head shows ornate metalwork with circular medallions and an aged golden surface.
August 2018 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Weathered golden horse head sculpture with three decorated medallions down the center.
The Waldgirmes Horse\'s Head shows a weathered golden surface with decorative medallions down the front.
August 2018 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Fragmented gilded bronze horse head from Waldgirmes with weathered surface and relief details on the forehead
The Waldgirmes Horse’s Head shows a weathered gilded bronze surface with fine relief details still visible.
August 2018 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Close-up of the Waldgirmes Horse\'s Head showing a bronze-toned circular medallion with a profile head and decorative folds around it.
Detail of the Waldgirmes Horse\'s Head, with a bronze-toned medallion set against a textured folded surface.
August 2018 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleHorse's Head of Waldgirmes
Alternative nameHorse's Head from Waldgirmes
TypeArchaeological find; horse's head fragment
German namePferdekopf von Waldgirmes

Historical context

CultureRoman
Associated siteFormer Roman Forum of Lahnau-Waldgirmes (Römisches Forum Lahnau-Waldgirmes)
Site characterFortified Roman trading place
Site significanceHas the oldest known stone buildings in Magna Germania

Discovery and provenance

DatingProbably early 1st century AD; estimates range from 4 BC to AD 16, with some estimates dating it to AD 1
Probable originProbably Roman Italy
Destruction historyPossibly the statue was destroyed when the settlement was burned down after the Varus battle, and the debris was thrown into the well
Associated findsA left foot and a piece of bridle/harness were found with it
Discovery contextFound during archaeological excavations of the former Roman settlement at Waldgirmes
Original objectPresumably part of an equestrian statue, most likely of Emperor Augustus; possibly another male member of the imperial family
Original locationProbably the forum of the Roman settlement at Waldgirmes, possibly a central square
FindspotIn a wooden barrel in a collapsed well shaft about 11 meters deep
Legal disputeLong-running dispute between the state of Hesse and the landowner over compensation for the find; in 2020 the parties reached a confidential settlement
Discovery locationA field near Lahnau-Waldgirmes, Hesse, Germany
Discovery year2009
CompensationAn initial payment of 48,000 euros was made in 2016; the Limburg Regional Court awarded 821,000 euros in July 2018; the expert valuation was about 1.6 million euros; the final settlement amount was confidential

Physical characteristics

ExtentSurviving horse-head fragment; only the remains of the horse head survived
WeightAbout 15 kg
Length59 cm
ConditionWell preserved; carefully restored after discovery

Materials

MaterialGilded bronze

Technique

Surface treatmentGilding

Appearance

Decorative detailsA Mars plaque on the bridge of the nose, victory goddesses on the sides, and a bridle decorated with six ornamental discs
Stylistic comparisonStrongly similar to the gilded bronze horses of Cartoceto di Pergola, especially in the surviving mane tuft elements

History and restoration

RestorationRestored over about one year: cleaned of bronze corrosion products, loose gilding secured, and protected with an acrylic resin coating
Restoration cost75,000 euros

Location and ownership

Display locationSaalburg Museum, Saalburg, Germany
Display since19 August 2018
Berlin exhibitionBewegte Zeiten. Archäologie in Deutschland, Martin-Gropius-Bau, Berlin, 7 November 2018 to 17 December 2018, held for the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018
Replica displayA life-size 3D print has been shown at the visitor center since 2022; since August 2023 a full-size reproduction has also been displayed at the Roman Forum Lahnau-Waldgirmes

Significance

Historical significanceConsidered one of the most important archaeological finds in Germany and important for understanding a more settled Roman presence in ancient Germany

Iconography and meaning

InterpretationOften interpreted as part of an imperial-cult program of monumental statues in the Roman Empire