LOT 0821

Large Roman Bronze Military Mount

2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.

5 2/4 in. (69 grams, 14 cm wide).

Composed of a central domed boss and openwork volutes to the sides; for a sword belt or a chariot, one corner separated.

Acquired 1960s-1990s.
Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

Cf. for baldric elements Miks, C., Studien zur Romischen Schwertbewaffnung in der Kaiserzeit, I-II Banden, Rahden, 2007, I, fig.62 (openwork plate with heart-shaped terminal); Boube-Piccot, C., Les bronzes antiques de Maroc, III, Les chars et l’attelage, Rabat, 1980, nos.202 (Rabat), 631 (Tanger), for chariot elements.

In 3rd century A.D. the sword (spatha) was mainly carried suspended from a broad baldric usually on the soldier’s left side. This sword’s shoulder belt, visible on many monuments related to the 3rd century, was composed from a leather strap, reinforced on the rims. The four specimens of Vimose provided valuable information about the shape of the baldric: one end was broad and finished in a straight edge, the other tapered to a
narrow strip. They were decorated with silver disks (phalerae) of circa 6.4 cm. of diameter, with rings on the reverse for fastening.

These phalerae were of different shapes, styles and decorations: we can observe a range from simple copper-alloy discs to bronze openwork pieces fitted with a plate or an openwork disc showing elaborate figures. They were usually attached at about 29-30 cm from the wider and squared top of the baldric. One of the finial parts of the baldric was in fact very wide and ended with a straight edge, upon which could be placed a hinged rectangular openwork terminal plate (like our specimen), attached to a belt terminal pendant. The lack, in our specimen, of holes for the attachment rivets could also support the thesis that the piece is not for a baldric, but a mount for cart or chariot as some examples in a similar style found in Roman North Africa.