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LOT 0580
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.
ProvenanceAcquired 1960s-1990s.
Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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.
FootnotesIn the 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 of holes for the attachment rivets in our specimen 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.
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Roman Terracotta 'Favsti' Oil Lamp
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,340
An impressive oil lamp with rounded body and long nozzle with volute scrolls, deep discus with concentric circles and radiating lines emphasising the depth, loop handle beneath the leaf-shaped reflector; maker's marks 'FAVSTI' on the base. 443 grams, 31.9 cm
From the private collection of Ambassador G.P., no.126, before 1965. with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Donald Bailey (curator emeritus at the British Museum) believes that the workshop of 'FAVSTI' oil lamps was Italian in origin, later relocating to Petra and Egypt. A large quantity of these oil lamps were also found in Cyprus including those of the Cesnola Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. -
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2nd-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13
Comprising: an annular brooch, two finger rings, an awl(?) and a Roman bow brooch. 15.9 grams total, 23-35 mm
Acquired on the UK art market circa 2005. From an old North Country, UK, collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
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Roman Gold Ring with Fish Gemstone
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
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Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
