Roman Soldier and Chariot Sculpture.

The sculpture captures a highly dynamic, classical scene: a Roman driver in full military attire (including a distinct galea/crested helmet and tunic) straining against the reins of two charging horses.

This specific subject matterthe Roman chariot racewas incredibly popular in mid-century European decorative art. Its popularity spiked massively in the late 1950s and 1960s, heavily fueled by Hollywood "sword-and-sandals" epic films like Ben-Hur (1959). Italian workshops like Santini's captured this global cultural trend by producing high-quality, accessible replicas of classical Roman art for tourists and international export.

Material & Finish

While the piece has the distinct look, patina, and weight of cast bronze, it is actually an exceptional example of Italian faux-bronze work from that era.

As the label indicates, Amilcare Santinis studio specialized in a compound of crushed alabaster, marble dust, and resin. For pieces like your chariot, the workshop would mix metallic powders into the resin or apply a multi-layered, hand-painted chemical patina after it was pulled from the mold. This gave the sculpture the precise oxidation, highlights, and deep shadows of real aged bronze without the immense weight and cost of traditional foundry casting.

What the Labels Confirm

• The "Tivoli" Connection: The "Tivoli Original" label on the base confirms this belonged to a curated collection of classical Roman reproductions. Because Tivoli is a historic town right outside Romehome to ancient Roman ruins like Hadrian's Villathe name was used to guarantee that the design was directly inspired by authentic Italian antiquities.
• Production Era: Based on the font styles of the foil and paper labels, the specific finish, and the reins (which appear to be original wire or cord), this piece was manufactured in Italy between the 1960s and 1970s