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LOT 0643
Roman Bronze Military Mount From a Pompeii Gladius Scabbard
1ST CENTURY A.D.
2 in. (6.12 grams, 50 mm).
Comprising a domed vine-leaf with notched edge and incised veins, finial with lateral scrolled tendrils; pierced for attachment. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s.
From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Cf. Unz, C., Deschler-Erb, E., Katalog der Militaria aus Vindonissa, Militärische Funde, Pferdegeschirr und Jochteile bis 1976, Brugg, 1997, pl.9, nos.149-164, for several similar examples; for reconstruction on the scabbard see Connolly, P., Greece and Rome at war, London, 2006, p.232, figs.5, 11, 22, 308, 310.
FootnotesThe sword of Pompeii typology was the main side weapon of the Roman legionary from the second half of the 1st century A.D. until the end of the 2nd century A.D. In the Flavian Age, the scabbard was decorated with various bronze appliques: openwork decorated copper-alloy plates and chape, and over the chape, this distinctive bronze foliage mount, used only for these typologies of scabbards.
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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LOT 0643
Roman Bronze Military Mount From a Pompeii Gladius Scabbard
Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
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Roman Banded Agate Gemstone with Victory
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
Cabochon with engraved intaglio of Victory standing with wings spread to the rear, one arm extended holding a laurel wreath with ties, frond over one shoulder; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.99 grams, 12 mm
From the Fadel family collection, London, UK, 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Roman Silver Torc with Gemstone Pendant
1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
A flat-section wire necklace with hook-and-eye fastening, ellipsoid pendant with ropework border and central cell, inset rock crystal cabochon. 12 grams, 84 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Late Roman Votive Lead Mirror Inscribed 'For the woman who loves her husband'
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
Comprising a discoid plate with running scroll border, lentoid-section handle with raised teardrop decoration; applied central reflective disc with Greek inscription to the reverse: 'τῆς φιλάνδρου πάντα' translating to 'For the woman who loves her husband'; with original reflective glass in situ. 35 grams, 10.3 cm
Acquired from Brigantia, York, UK, circa 2010. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Many examples of this category from the Danube region were found in female graves, where they perhaps served as grave goods considered appropriate for their connection with general issues of fertility, good fortune, and beauty, or even as protective amulets. The inscriptions found on votive lead mirrors in Pannonia, published by Németh & Szabó, show female characteristics, and the beautiful female soul as an addressee. Since lead mirror frames have been found in this Roman province only in graves of women, it is probable that these miniature mirrors, filled with glass in their central hole, were expected to serve as ritual or magical tools to assist the souls of dead women in the afterlife.
