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Reference: VR2 / Cat. No.
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Period:
Roman
Origin:
Italy
Date:
30 – 90 AD
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Description:
Concave discus encircled by moulding. Rounded nozzle flanked by volutes. Defined circular base.
On discus: winged Cupid with r. hand resting on a trochus and l. hand holding a stick.
Fabric:
Buff clay with mottled dark red and vermilion slip.
Manufacture:
Mould made.
Condition:
Nozzle tip missing.
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Notes:
Cf. Mlasowsky, 125; Loeschcke, 352; Bussière & Lindros Wohl, 174; Goethert, M6; Walters, 495; (subject) BMC III, Q3260.
Theme: see Dasen, 'Hoops and Coming of Age in Greek and Roman Antiquity', Paris 2018.
Loeschcke Type IV.
Comments:
The trochus depicted was a wheel or hoop used in the Graeco-Roman version of 'hoop rolling'. Played by both children and adults, the object of the game was to chase after the wheel and keep it rolling as long as possible by striking it with a stick.
Although Martial implied they were open metal hoops and sometimes fitted with jingling rings to alert passers-by (Apophoreta, XIV.168-169), trochi were undoubtedly made from other materials such as wood or wicker as well, and evidence suggests that spoked or solid wheels could also serve the basic purpose.
Perhaps intentionally, the composition here evokes Cupid posing as Mars with shield and spear.
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