Roman Black Glass Bead Necklace String

Of piriform shape with iridescent surfaces, decorated with later applied fruiting vines in high-relief, a stylised rosette to the vessel's base; restored; rim chipped. 186 grams, 11.5 cm



London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent. Private collection, England.

Comprising: an amphora-shaped strap end decorated with rings and dots, the centre ornamented by a star surrounded by small dots and circles; a shield-shaped strap end, with a concave crescent on each side; an openwork decorated fitting with a kidney shaped motif in each quarter; a shield-shaped decorated strap end, with kidney-shaped openwork design; and a propeller shaped mount. 75 grams total, 29-66 mm



From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.

In Britain like in all of the West, all the elements intended for the embellishment of belts and harnesses also evolved towards new forms, the geometry of which bears witness to strong Germanic influences. Beside the typical propeller stiffener belts (Richborough), probably of Danubian origin, we have less ornate wide-belt types, represented by the Winchester example. Belt-plaques of triangular shape, often gilded, beast-shaped at the extremity, were excavated in the south of Britain (Cirencester). Rigid belt-plates with the buckle shaped like a dolphin came from Richborough, Wye and Sleaford (class 3, type B, Sommer), Tripontium, Mucking, Wycombe, Alwalton (type I-B, Hawkes, also in Richborough) and type Mainz, Savgar, Totanés (Colchester, often with associated propeller stiffeners). Type Hawkes I-A and I-B present similarities with the Simancas typologies, found in Lankhills. The type Tirig is attested at Lydney Park, the Böhme A in Richborough. Strap ends are usually heart-shaped or amphora-shaped (Richborough). These belt fittings were characteristic of the Roman army in Britain at the beginning of the 5th century.

Sheet gold disc pendant with garnet cabochon, knop and ribbed suspension loop. 0.22 grams, 8 mm



Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s.