Terracotta fountain decoration in the shape of a war elephant with a ‘castle’ on its back, held by three chains, and a ‘mahout’ (driver) sitting behind the animal’s head. The driver holds a round, flat object in front of him, atop the elephant’s head, with the elephant reaching up with its trunk, touching the object, which is probably food (it may even be bread). The driver appears to be African, judging from his hair and facial features, and it would make sense that he might be modeled on the North African forces of Hannibal’s army. This was probably also a jug; the liquid could be poured into it via a hold atop the siege tower, and the mouth of the elephant is the pour spout. From the peristyle fountain from the House of M. Pupius Rufus, Pompeii. Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli (National Archaeological Museum of Naples, MANN inv. 124845)
If our cavalryman were on a horse, he’d have to be sitting on the rump to hold the shield horizontally. But as seen on the terracotta war elephant below, a rider can place a shield-shaped object atop the animal’s head (below, prob. food - bread?). 🏺 2/
1st c. CE, Pompeii.
#MANN 📸 me
