Roman Bronze Square-Shaped Bell

The Roman Republican silver denarius mounted on 22 carat gold foil, framed with an art print signed by the artist David McAllister, depicting scenes of Roman military activity; limited edition number 25/1150. 1.3 kg total, 48.5 x 36.5 cm



UK gallery, early 2000s. Accompanied by a previous certificate of authenticity.

David McAllister's exciting design is a 'one of a kind' work that portrays the might and riches of the Roman civilisation. This limited edition print is a celebration of the award winning artist's lifetime dedication to historical paintings of the ancient world. To enhance appreciation of this rare and historic work, each individual print is signed and numbered by the artist.

Cuboid with impressed spots disposed 1:6, 2:3, 4:5. 13.8 grams, 12.3 mm



Ex N. Du Quesne Bird collection. Acquired 4 February 1999. From the important private collection of dice and gaming pieces of Colin Narbeth, London, UK, collection no.82. Accompanied by a Colin Narbeth catalogue identification slip.

Composed of a discoid body with sunken discus bearing a scene of two gladiators in combat in relief, tabula ansata below, ring handle and roughly D-shaped nozzle with volutes; old crack to base. 84 grams, 12.4 cm



From a German collection. Ex Cambridge, UK, collection, 1980s.

The two gladiators seem to be wearing the armaturae of murmillones. All gladiators began their career as provocatores; the learning of their combat technique was polyvalent and allowed the fighters to specialise as a large shield-bearer (the scutati) like murmillones, or as a small shield-bearer, parmati, like the oplomachus.