Roman Gold Necklace with Blue Glass Beads

With incised foliage detail to the high arched bow and flat head plate with human face and radiating floral pattern engraved on both sides; catchplate and pin-loop to the reverse. 36.5 grams, 10.5 cm



Ex European collection, 1990s. Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridgeshire, UK. Accompanied by a dealer's catalogue information card.

The fibula seems to be provincial type, of Romano-Germanic inspiration. This particularly characteristic fibula shape of the Romano-Germanic army, worn probably by the Germanic mercenaries of the Roman army, appeared in the later 2nd and partly at the beginning of the 3rd century A.D., under a form of large bow brooches with various types of head plates or spiral sleeves.

With onion-knop terminals, carinated bow with a median band of guilloche decoration; the footplate with ring-and-dot decoration to each end, central guilloche panel with chamfered sides; hinged pin and pierced catch-plate to reverse. 64 grams total, 90 mm



Property of a Gloucestershire, UK, collector. Property of an East Sussex, UK, gentleman.

The piercing runs through both the body and catchplate. Such alterations, for the attachment of a securing chain or thong, are not uncommon on heavy brooches, but the hole is usually restricted to the reverse (the catch).

Modelled in the half-round with a dressed hair and stylised facial features; bare-chested except for a folded cloak fastened over his left shoulder. 34.5 grams, 42.5 mm



Acquired from J. S. Fine Art, Bodicote, Oxfordshire, UK. Property of a Shropshire private collector.