Late Roman Military Belt Buckle Plate

Comprising a keeled hoop with wide shoulders, set with a carnelian intaglio engraved with two copulating pigs with a third one shown on the sow's back. 9.44 grams, 24.60 mm overall, 19.12 x 13.03 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H 1/2, USA 4, Europe 6.81, Japan 6)



Private collection, London. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13532-263672.

The type belongs to variant 4, type 1, of the Roman iron rings in the Ruseva-Slokoska classification. Ellipsoid shield-bezels with conically cut gemstones are typical of the 2nd century A.D.

Carved in high relief on a dressed block; with broad fleshy face and long strands of curly hair draped over the shoulders; mantle to the shoulders secured on the chest, narrow trunk with rounded abdomen and navel, fish-scale detailing to the lower body; left arm supporting a conch shell or cornucopia, right arm raised; mounted on a custom-made stand. 18.65 kg total, 49.5 cm including stand



with Archaeologia, Switzerland, before 1983. Ex private North American collection. London private collection, 2016.

Modelled in the round hollow-formed figure of Cupid standing nude emerging from a flower, with dressed curly hair bound into a forelock, small dorsal wings on the shoulders, a recurved bow in his left hand and an arrow supported on his right forearm; looped handles to the rear and stepped base below. 1.79 kg, 19.9 cm



From the collection of J-Ph, Mariaud de Serres, Paris, France, 1990s. Piasa Auctions, 17-18 March 2003, no.584. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13215-249253. Accompanied by a copy of French passport no.237039.

These prismatic fittings covered the ends of the wooden beams, reinforcing the floor of the undercarriage on both long sides. The heavy and ornate nature of these accessories suggests they were originally attached to a more substantial vehicle such as a pilentum (used to transport aristocrats on state occasions), a carruca (for transporting emperors and aristocratic matrons) or even a thensa (a ceremonial chariot used to transport deities to the imperial games) or a lectica (portable bed for patricii and matronae). Contemporary sources describe ornate inlay, rare woods and metalwork incorporated into these vehicles, and, probably, the present fitting would originally have been gilded.