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LOT 0629
Late Roman Iron Branding Signaculum
5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
14 3/4 in. (521 grams, 37.5 cm).
Featuring an elaborate monogram composed of Greek letters M and O, supported by decoratively twisted prongs; tapering cylindrical socket.
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
See Baratta, G., 'Roman Signacula / Una particolare categoria di signacula: marchi per legno, pellame ed animali', in Mayer M., Olive, G., Baratta, G., Guzman Almagro, A.(ed.), XII Congressus Internationalis Epigraphiae Grecae et Latinae, Barcelona, 2007, pp.99-108, figs.3,7, for similar stamps.
FootnotesBranding stamps or signacula, in particular those with large single letters, were used for marking livestock to identify the ownership, the breed, the quality and other features of the animal. The signacula were usually made in bronze, but iron examples are also preserved.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0629
Late Roman Iron Branding Signaculum
Estimate £80 - 100€93 - 116 (for guidance only)$108 - 135 (for guidance only)
-
Romano-British Bronze Mount of Dionysus
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Formed as a bust of within foliate crescent, wearing a floral diadem and pleated tunic; rectangular mounting lug to reverse. 42.8 grams, 45 mm high
Found near Colchester, Essex, 2005. -
Roman Bronze Lion Patera Handle Fitting
2nd-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £444
Displaying a naturalistic lion's head projecting from a facetted bar with piercing for attachment; recessed eyes to accept separate inserts. 100 grams, 88 mm
‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection. -
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Horse and Cavalry Man
3rd-2nd century B.C.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £333
The rounded intaglio with a horseman, helmetted or wearing a causia, with flying cloak, riding towards left. 0.27 grams, 9 mm
Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.
The cap (kausia) was typical of Hellenistic military dress and had been worn by cavalrymen since Alexander’s campaigns of the 4th century BC. The gemstone could represent an Italic cavalrymen, a socius (ally) of the Roman army. Another possibility is that the gemstone follows Etruscan influence, like the example in the British Museum, accession no. 1872,0604.156. The kausia cap had also its metallic counterpart, worn by the Tarentine cavalrymen of the Hellenistic period.
