Roman Bronze Animal-Headed Bracelet

Two fragments of the returned rim of a mortarium, one with the convergent ribs for the pouring lip; each stamped with legend 'Q[I]V[S]-A / CRE[S]C = Quintus Iustius Crescens ?' in tabula ansata. 707 grams total, 17.5-19.8 cm



Found UK, possibly from Lincolnshire. From the collection of a late East Anglian teacher and antiquarian who retired to the Isle of Wight in Hampshire, UK. He amassed a large collection of objects between the 1960s-1980s.

Significant mortaria were manufactured at several sites in and around Lincoln during 2nd century A.D.; they had a wide distribution across northern England and southern Scotland. Quintus Iustius Crescens was active producer in Lincolnshire during 100-140 A.D.

Each a D-section disc with central triskele and coiled arms, segmented detailing to the outer face. 340 grams total, 10-10.2 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

The two mounts are elements of horse harness decorating the antilena and postilena of the horse, as intersection fittings of the main straps. According to Alfoldi, these horse harnesses were the product of a metallurgy that was the fruit of a Gallo-Roman revival, and not exclusively of military nature. The military adopted similar elements fruit of the revival of this Celtic-Roman decorative art, since such harnesses have also been discovered in border fortresses. But the large industrial centers, which worked for export, manufactured objects primarily for the Danubian regions where both the soldiers and the civilian population, without distinction of class, used them as habitual objects.

Including key shank, tweezers, headstud brooch, T-shaped brooch and other items. 102 grams total, 21-93 mm



From a private Barnsley, UK, family collection.