Roman Bronze Figural Escutcheon

Decorated with stamped patterns including dolphins, gorgoneion, sphinx, floral patterns, motifs with ivy leaves and vertical columns dividing the field into panels. 33.2 kg, 1.72 m



Acquired 1970s-early 1990s. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

There were many ways of burying bodies during the Roman Empire. Although the majority were buried without coffins, there is evidence for wooden coffins, lead-framed wooden coffins, tile burials and lead and stone coffins. This item belongs to types widespread in the Eastern Mediterranean. The panel is decorated with a columned structure, and within each section are symbols of the outer-world, including gorgons, sphinx and dolphins. The sphinx, having a human head and breasts, legs and paws of a lion, and wings of a bird, was generally associated with protecting imperial tombs and temples. The roundels featuring the head of Medusa, known for her potent gazes that could turn one to stone, was favoured on sarcophagi and architectural ornaments because it was believed that her image would protect those within. The dolphin was considered to ferry the souls of the dead to the afterlife. Very often these sarcophagi were connected by a pipe to the ground above so that mourners could pour offerings into the grave.

Each a flat-section band with hook-and-eye closure. 0.95 grams total, 12-13 mm



Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.

Second style, painted in red, blue and cream, one with leaf motifs. 622 grams total, 5.7-11.6 cm



Acquired in the 19th century. Ex Jeger collection, Switzerland.

These small fragments, showing similarities with fragments of Pompeii, seem to belong to the second style of Roman painting, red panels profiled with black lines representing highlight and shadow. The panels were probably framed by a green fillet. A couple of fragments show two fields in alternated red and blue.