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Details

LOT 0761

Roman Bronze Military Compass and Tweezers Multi-Tool

CIRCA LATE 2ND-4TH CENTURY A.D.

3 1/2 in. (19 grams, 90 mm).

Featuring a compass and tweezers, free-moving collar to one arm, one arm with two oval terminals and one tapering to a point.

Provenance

Acquired before 2000.
From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Literature

Cf. Beutler, F. et al., Der Adler Roms. Carnuntum und der Armee der Cäsaren, Bad-Deutsch Altenberg, 2017, item 639, for type.

Footnotes

This instrument, a type of circinus formed of two flat-section arms, was widely used by masons and carpenters, as well as for making wall decorations for the preparation of repetitive elements such as spirals or circles. It was widely used by the agrimensores of the army, as is proven by a very similar specimen found in Carnuntum, the camp of the Legio XIIII Gemina.

CONDITION

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AUCTIONS:

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LOT 0761

Roman Bronze Military Compass and Tweezers Multi-Tool

Sold for (Inc. bp): £169

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