Combe, Taylor [Editor]: A description of the collection of ancient Marbles in the British Museum: with engravings (Band 10) (London, 1845)

95

The execution of this piece of sculpture is exceedingly good, the
composition is generally interesting, and it presents many curious
details. It is observable that the unrestored legs of the Centaurs
and ass are shod; we are not aware that such a peculiarity has
been before remarked on any monument of ancient art, but, from
several passages 10 quoted, Beckmann, Beytrage zur Geschichte der
Erfindungen, hi. p. 129, it is certain that the ancients protected
the feet of their mules and other beasts of burthen with metallic
shoes; this however does not appear to have been a general cus-
tom, nor have we any reason to suppose that these shoes were
fastened to the hoof with nails, or adapted for constant active
service. ■

Length 7 ft. 2^ in. Height 1 ft. 7 in.

tion of the march of the army of Bacchus to India, Nonnus, Dionys. xiv. and of
the procession at Alexandria already quoted, Atheneeus, v. p. 196, et seqq.

10 Compare Catull. Carm. xvii. 26. and Doehring, in loc. Sueton. vit. Vespas.
c. xxiii, vit. Neron. c. xxx. Dio Cassius, lxii. 28, lxxiii, 4. Epictet. Dissertat.
Schweigheuser, Lipsice, 1799. iv. 1. 80. Artemidor. Oneirocritica, Lutet. 1603, iv.
c. 32, p. 220.