Wolf-Head Barge Fixture
Unknown Artist
1–100 CE
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
21.9 × 16.8 cm, l. 24.4 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund
Accession Number
1985.51
About this artwork
This snarling wolf head is closely similar to others that were attached to a luxurious pleasure barge moored on Lake Nemi, near Rome. The ship was designed as a floating platform for elaborate parties, and included impressive bronze fittings to ornament the wooden structure. Beam ends were capped with lion, panther, and wolf heads, each with a large bronze ring between its teeth.