Trapezophore Of A Roaring Panther - Roman Art

Trapezophore Fragment of a Roaring Panther - Antique
1st to 2nd Century AD

This fragment of a table support is in the form of a panther with an open mouth and an elongated tongue, the lower part having now disappeared.
The trapezophore is a type of furniture support commonly used in ancient Greco-Roman furniture design. It often took the form of a sculptural figure, usually an animal or mythological creature, such as a lion, griffin or sphinx, carved in relief or in the round in white marble or coloured stones.

These supports were both functional and decorative, supporting the surface of the table while contributing to the aesthetic appeal.
The word comes from the Greek "trapeza" (meaning table) and "phoros" (meaning bearer or support).

See the print in the last image to better understand the object as a whole.

Height: 13cm