LOT 0813

Roman Bronze Military Belt Mount Collection

4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.

1 1/8- 2 1/2 in. (75 grams total, 29-66 mm).

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. [5, No Reserve]

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

Bailey, G., Detector Finds 7, Witham, 2011, pp.67 and 70, fig.1; Detector Finds 6, pp.41,54, for all items except the belt propeller.

Cf. Bailey, G., Detector Finds 6, fig.C11.7, for a similar belt propeller.

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.