Marble oscillum - hanging garden ornament - depicting a bound centaur

            Oscillum depicting a captive centaur and helmet. Oscilla were marble garden ornaments, hung between the columns of a garden portico. The name is the clue - they were meant to rotate in the wind, partly for protection of the household (moving objects were supposed to confuse or scare away evil spirits).

This may represent the end of the centauromachy, the Lapiths battle with the Centaurs at the wedding feast of Pirithous. The Centaurs had been invited, but became wild when intoxicated on wine. The centaur Eurytion attempted to abduct Hippodamia, the bride, and a battle ensued between the Lapiths (the Greek humans) and the Centaurs, with the latter losing. Note the Greek helmet in front of the bound centaur, who may represent Eurytion himself.

This oscillum would have been painted with bright pigments when new.

House of the Golden Cupids, Pompeii (VI 16, 7)
Photographed at the Pompeii Antiquarium

Some rights reserved

Taken on: May 4, 2024

Tags:

ancient

garden

ornament

oscillum

oscilla

centaur

bound

helmet

House of the Golden Cupids

Pompeii

Pompeii Antiquarium

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Sets appears in: • Pompeii Antiquarium • Vesuvian towns (Pompeii, Herculaneum, et al) more » • Roman sculpture « less

Groups appears in: • Sculpture • The Ancient World more » • Pompeii • Julio Claudian Art, Roman Portraiture and Coins • Museums and Galleries • World Archaeology & Arts/ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΑ&ΤΕΧΝΕΣ-Rea • Museums of the World • World Archaeology • Ancient Greek and Roman Art • ANTICANDO!!!(P2/Aw3)Please,only Subject ANCIENT • Your Museum Images • Ancient / Archaeological • Photos at the Museum « less

Camera: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, f/1.8, 1/200 sec, 6.8mm, ISO 64 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Lens:	iPhone 15 Pro Max back triple camera 6.765mm f/1.78
Aperture:	f/1.8
Exposure Time:	0.005 sec (1/200)
Focal Length:	6.8mm
ISO:	64
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Lightroom 9.3.1 (iOS)
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