Roman and Other Mixed Bead Group

Comprising a rectangular plate, richly decorated with embossed laurel leaves in a grid, framed with raised bosses, the buckle loop comprising opposing dragons with open mouths, holding a spherical tongue-rest, another pair of smaller dragon heads to base, the tongue with a smaller pair of punch-decorated dragon heads. 152 grams, 11.2 cm



Acquired before the 1970s. Ex J.L. collection, Surrey, U.K., thence by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.203881.

Most precious military buckles, like this one, were reserved for soldiers belonging to Legiones Palatinae, i.e. the legions forming part of the imperial Comitatus, accompanying the emperor in his military expeditions.

Formed as the bust of Eros looking upwards, stub wings to his shoulders, holding a goose to his chest; conical socket above each wing; eyes with silver inserts; old collector's label '1994 51.75' to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made stand; likely a socket base. 517 grams total, 11.9 cm wide (744 grams total, 14 cm high including stand)



with Sotheby's, London, May 1988, lot 234. Ex Malter galleries, XLV, 28 May 1991, lot 902. Ex Bruce A. Kamerling collection. Acquired from Royal Athena Galleries, New York, 26 June 1994. The Haggin Museum, Stockton, California. with Bonhams, Antiquities, 23 May 2012, lot 121.

Comprising a vine-leaf finial from an item of furniture; a P-shaped bow-brooch with pellet detailing; a bronze bow-brooch with lateral flanges. 41.8 grams total, 41-53 mm



Found near Great Chesterford, Cambridgeshire, UK, 2000s.