The Mausoleum of Hadrian was richly decorated with sculptures, but only very few fragments have survived, including this magnificent frieze with bull heads, garlands and pelts, in white Luni marble.
The bull heads have ribbons on their sides that form spirals: a garland with leaves, figs, pomegranates and other fruits is weighed down on the horns. In the center, above the garland, there are two crossed pelts, which served as a filler.
It was found on 28 October 1892, during the demolition works of the Aelius bridge and of the original Roman road.
This frieze and other wonderful fragments of statues and capitals have miraculously survived centuries of looting and devastation. You can read their story in our latest book «Castel Sant'Angelo. Mausoleo di Adriano. Architettura e Luce», just published, of which you can see an abstract on the side.