Roman Bronze Artefact Collection

Two fragments of fingers from a statue, the smaller with attachment points for an object. 148 grams total, 52-74 mm



Ex M. Cummings collection, Lincolnshire, UK, 1990s.

Including fragment of greyware pottery rim, glass oblate and other beads, a bone phallus amulet and other items; with late 19th century handwritten label 'Pottery / Roman Camp/ Capchoke' and 'Mr Stirling / St Boswells' inked to verso, along with postage tag attached with Victorian postage stamp stamped 'St Boswells 5th July 1896'. 48 grams total, 79 x 59 x 34 mm



Found at Camp Capchoke in the 19th century. From the collection of Mr Stirling of St Boswells, UK, circa 1896, thence by descent. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985. Accompanied by a handwritten provenance note.

St Boswells is situated a few miles from Melrose, Scotland. Gadrooned beads like the ones here illustrated are found in 1st and 2nd century contexts and seem to have been introduced into this country at the conquest. Most are made of turquoise frit, which often decays to white. The dark blue glass here illustrated finds a perfect parallel with a specimen found in Colchester.

With flat base and central boss, flared rim, incised rings to the inner face. 142 grams, 83 mm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

The function of Roman vessels is not always precise, as well as the separation between culinary forms and forms for domestic use, those of the kitchen and those of the table. Many bronzes belonged to table service (like perhaps this splendidly preserved example), others to objects of usual worship (patera) or washing, while basins, plates and crockery found their place above all in the kitchen.