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_900x900.jpg "Roman Bronze Armour Double Fastening Hook")
_200x200.jpg "Roman Bronze Armour Double Fastening Hook")
.jpg "Roman Bronze Armour Double Fastening Hook")
LOT 1075
Roman Bronze Armour Double Fastening Hook
1ST CENTURY A.D.
2 3/4 in. (33 grams total, 70 mm each).
Each a scrolled and angled bar tapering to a gently carinated zoomorphic terminal, formed as a serpent or other animal with stylised geometric detailing; attachment perforations to both terminals. [2 3/4 in.]
ProvenanceAcquired on the London art market, 1980s-1990s.
LiteratureCf. D'Amato, R. and Sumner, G., Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier: From Marius to Commodus, 112 BC-AD 192, London, 2009, fig.160, for similar double fastening hooks.
FootnotesIn the 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D., the Celtic fastening system of the ring mail armour (gallica, lorica ferro aspera) became the standard in the Imperial Roman army, with a pivot attached to the breast and hinged to the edges of the humeralia (shoulder guards). The chest fastener had various different designs. The double hooks, S-shaped and usually with snake-head terminals, were secured by a central rivet on the chest. The system allowed excellent freedom of movement, giving greater protection to the shoulders and the arms. Similar fasteners for infantry mail have been found on the Kalkriese battlefield, some of them also decorated with niello and inscribed with the name of the soldier.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger
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Opening Bid: £50
Single-edged, curved with scooped shoulder and flat tang. 78 grams, 31 cm
Ex German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
In the middle of the 2nd millennium B.C., combat knives were widely used in Palestine and Syria. Some of them reproduced in local forms and constructions of the beginning of the 2nd millennium B.C., others had a concave blade with a humpbacked back or S-shaped blades which, apparently, should be associated with influences from Asia Minor influence. -
Large Western Asiatic Bronze Adze-Axehead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Composed of a central cylindrical socket with collar to base and gently triangular flanges to upper face, a wedge-shaped adze-head to one side and a wedge-shaped axe head to the other, both with gently convex cutting edges. 1.1 kg, 25 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Avar-Byzantine Silver-Gilt Sword Belt Mount Group
7th-9th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £89
Comprising three belt mounts later remounted onto brown leather comprising: a rectangular strap end with rounded terminal, decorated with granulated borders, lozenges and chevrons; two roughly D-shaped mounts with apex flourish and waisted sides, also decorated with granulated lozenges and chevrons. 26.5 grams, 12.2 cm long
Fine condition.
Acquired in the 1980s-1990s. Ex an important central London gallery, London W1.
This type of belt element decorated with granulation, is present in the Avar graves of the second half of the 7th century, and was most likely produced in the workshops of the Eastern Roman Empire, from where they reached the Avar lands as imperial gifts (tomb of Kunbàboni) or spoils of war. They were part of multiple belts, to which sabers and knives were attached, commonly used among Avars, Bulgars and Romans during the 7th and 8th centuries AD.
