Roman Marbled Amber Glass Vase

Two military mounts, each roughly triangular with a curved underside; the smaller with a feline modelled in the round at the narrow end; the larger with a similar animal amf comma-leaf detailing at the wider end. 78.2 grams total, 53-67 mm



Found Hampshire, UK.

The comma-leaf ornament on the larger piece is indicative of Roman military metalwork around the time of the conquest of Gaul (circa 55 B.C.), after which large numbers of local troops were recruited into the Roman army. Gallic ornaments of La Tène style influenced the equipment of the legions formed at this time.

Modelled in the half-round with hollow reverse and fixing stud; gladiator advancing with a gladius short-sword drawn in right hand, holding a rectangular shield (scutum) and wearing greaves (ocreae); the arm protected by an armoured manica. 48 grams, 62 mm



From the French collection of M Garcia, 1990s.

The gladiator represented here belongs to the class of the scutarii (wearers of big shields) of the familia of the secutor or provocatores. The secutor was the chronological evolution of samnite gladiators. The title of secutor appears historically only in the imperial era and is closely linked to the title of contraretiarius, the retiarius being his true and only opponent. The secutor's armament consisted of the gladius and a large shield, a short ocrea on the left leg and a padded or armoured sleeve with chiroteca to protect his arm and hand.

The group comprising: a bronze handle or a furniture mount with ribbed body and looped terminals; a lead disc with Roman numerals 'VII' in two lines; a whetstone and two moulded stone fragments. 118 grams total, 23-88 mm



Found Nottinghamshire, UK. Acquired from Ancient & Oriental in 2003. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman.