Artwork Page for Imperial Eagle

Details / Information for Imperial Eagle

Imperial Eagle

100 BCE–100 CE

probably Syria, Roman

Medium
bronze with garnet inlays
Measurements
Overall: 12.1 x 6.9 x 9.7 cm (4 3/4 x 2 11/16 x 3 13/16 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1988.40
Public Domain
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Location
103 Roman
Print
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Did You Know?

The eagle was a symbol of the Roman Empire and its military.

Description

This eagle stands on an integrated bronze base with overlapping ovoid-shaped feathers creating a layered pattern across its body, and its tail feathers fanned out. The wings, now lost, were likely cast separately in bronze and then soldered or welded to the bird’s body. The eyes are inlaid with red stones believed to be garnets. The eagle is associated with Jupiter, king of the gods, and the Roman poets Virgil and Horace described the birds as the bearers of his thunderbolt. While eagles were often depicted on Roman coins, the bird is rarely depicted in the round in Roman art.
A bronze eagle with a mottled green and brown patina stands on a flat, irregular base. Turning its head to the left, the bird features a hooked beak and dark red garnet eyes. Overlapping feather patterns texture the body and legs. A long tail extends toward the right, and the right wing is broken, leaving a jagged fragment at the shoulder.

Imperial Eagle

100 BCE–100 CE

probably Syria, Roman

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