Roman Bronze Roundel Plate Brooch

Plate brooch with raised vertical shaft and lateral crescent blades, each with an incised ring-and-dot motif; pin-lugs and partial pin on the reverse. 10.1 grams, 33 mm



From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s.

Modelled in the round with applied red-glass collar, pierced through the shaft for suspension. 11.4 grams, 32 mm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

In the Roman world, the phallus was a symbol of luck or fertility, and it was believed to have apotropaic functions. Pendants, amulets and small objects were worn by all sorts of people as symbols of protection, especially by young children, according to Varro and Pliny the Elder. The phallus is also commonly found on reliefs, frescoes and lamps from the Graeco-Roman world.

Fragments of wall plaster with rendered surface painted with mainly Pompeii red, pale blue, brown and white detailing; some with an impression of timber laths to the reverse. 897 grams total, 6.8-16 cm



Acquired in the 19th century. Ex Jeger collection, Switzerland. UK gallery, early 2000s.

These small fragments, for analogies with the fragments of Pompeii, seem to belong to the second style of Roman painting, red panels representing highlight and shadow, decorated with vegetal interlaces. A red grenade fillet probably framed some panels. A fragment shows alternate blue and red colours over a cream background, maybe pertinent to a socle.