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LOT 0709
Late Roman Iron Branding Signaculum
5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
11 5/8 in. (343 grams, 29.5 cm high).
Featuring an elaborate monogram composed of Greek letters M, A, T and P on three supporting 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 owner, the breed, the quality and other features of the animal. These signacula were usually made in bronze, but iron examples are also preserved.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman 'St Albans' Bronze and Other Artefact Group
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Comprising a variety of items including lead weights, lead plaque inked with 'River Bank'; bronze brooches, coins, rings, mounts and other items, most fragmentary. 1.3 kg total, 1-10.6 cm
Found St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK. Acquired from the finder in 2008. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman. -
Roman Yellow Glass Necklace Bead Group
1st century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £78
Comprising a group of mostly small beads, with some cylindrical and oblate forms, in a pale yellow glass; pierced for stringing. 27 grams total, 3-19 mm
UK gallery, early 2000s. -
Roman Bronze Ring with Artemis Bee
Circa 1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
With ellipsoid bezel and lateral spurs, incuse image of a bee. 3.54 grams, 22.10 mm overall, 19.43 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)
From the collection of a High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK, gentleman, circa 2000.
The image of the bee was associated with various goddesses in the ancient world including Artemis and Melissa among the Greeks and Mellonia among the Romans.