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LOT 0632
Roman Gilt Bronze Crossbow Brooch
CIRCA MID 4TH-EARLY 5TH CENTURY A.D.
2 7/8 in. (56 grams, 73 mm).
Three onion-knops and pierced decoration to the headplate, facetted bow and footplate with semi-circular cross-section, conjoined peltate border and geometric motifs to the centre, bow with geometric motifs and possibly facing human head; complete with pin and catchplate to reverse.
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession number 1999.42, for a similar example; PAS DUR-57B5D5, in Leahy, K. and Lewis, M., Finds Identified II, London, 2020, p.30.
FootnotesDuring the Late Roman period, these brooches were worn as marks of rank both by officers of militia armata and non armata, i.e. military and civilian officers.
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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Opening Bid: £333
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Comprising a rectangular plate, richly decorated with embossed laurel leaves in a grid, framed with raised bosses, the buckle loop comprising opposing dragons with open mouths, holding a spherical tongue-rest, another pair of smaller dragon heads to base, the tongue with a smaller pair of punch-decorated dragon heads. 152 grams, 11.2 cm
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