Price by request

Artwork Description

This sculpture of an eagle with a serpent in his grasp is possibly Roman from the Eastern Empire, but what purpose it served is unknown. Some have suggested that it was an eagle standard, carried into battle on a long staff, which would make it one of the few such surviving standards. Alternatively it has been suggested that it was an architectural decorative element, and there is a triumphal arch in Croatia with an eagle with serpent like this in the apex of the interior of the arch. Whatever it's original context, It is a lively depiction of an interaction between the eagle, a celestial symbol, and the serpent, associated with the earth and the underworld. While the eagle grips the serpent, the serpent is a position to strike, rather than a triumph of one over the other, there is an equilibrium. The quality of the sculpture and preservation are remarkable for such an old piece. The end of the serpent's tail is missing, and the wings were broken and soldered back on, but are original.