Roman Bronze Vine Leaf Horse Harness Fitting

An early Christian columnar amulet pierced lengthwise for suspension, with magical inscription in Greek to each of the four faces: 'TO ΔЄ Β Є Ξ Ι ധ / Τ Ο ΚΥ ΡM(?) Ο Κധ ΚЄ / CΑ ΒΑ ധ ΚЄ ЄΦ Ι ΜΗ(ligate) IΑ C / CЄ ΡΑ ΠΙ ധ Ν Ο C'. 5.14 grams, 30 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

Square plaque from a baldric or military belt, with an engraved circle in the centre depicting a shepherd resting under a tree with two crossed branches, leaning on his staff with a greyhound beside him. 48.7 grams, 66 mm



From a UK collection since before 1990.

The plaque is related to a series of late Antique bronze plates destined to decorate the military baldrics or belts. Some of them were found in a late Roman tomb in Totanés (Toledo), ornamented with busts, and a plaque from Merida (Badajoz) was decorated with the personification of Rome. The plaque is related to similar ones from Italian and Syrian-Palestinian workshops, whose ornamentation seems sometimes to be connected to imperial authority. Parallels are linked to similar pieces of different iconographic types, but which were equally popular in the late Roman Empire, such as hunting or bucolic motifs.

Comprising four rings with key attachments, one for a barrel lock. 37.5 grams total, 25-34 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.