Roman Decorated Bronze Crossbow Brooch

Bulbous body with curving nozzle and a raised filler hole flanking the suspension loop, the body with raised decoration and three stub legs, possibly depicting a hedgehog. 118 grams, 81 mm



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

Composed mainly of pale blue and pale green beads with some larger feature beads, restrung with an elasticated string. 3.53 grams, 17 cm



Ex Ancient Art Shop, Windsor, UK, 1990s. Ex private collection.

A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 30.9 grams total, 12-20 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' refers to a four-sided shape. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term ‘token’ is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets.