Roman Openwork Military Belt Mount Group

Decorated with stamped patterns including dolphins, gorgoneion, sphinx, floral patterns, motifs with ivy leaves and vertical columns dividing the field into panels. 33.2 kg, 1.72 m



Acquired 1970s-early 1990s. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

There were many ways of burying bodies during the Roman Empire. Although the majority were buried without coffins, there is evidence for wooden coffins, lead-framed wooden coffins, tile burials and lead and stone coffins. This item belongs to types widespread in the Eastern Mediterranean. The panel is decorated with a columned structure, and within each section are symbols of the outer-world, including gorgons, sphinx and dolphins. The sphinx, having a human head and breasts, legs and paws of a lion, and wings of a bird, was generally associated with protecting imperial tombs and temples. The roundels featuring the head of Medusa, known for her potent gazes that could turn one to stone, was favoured on sarcophagi and architectural ornaments because it was believed that her image would protect those within. The dolphin was considered to ferry the souls of the dead to the afterlife. Very often these sarcophagi were connected by a pipe to the ground above so that mourners could pour offerings into the grave.

With facetted hoop and rectangular plaque, legend 'DME / RGVR' (D(eo) ME/RCVRI(o) (RI in ligature): ‘To the god Mercury), in rustic capitals. 10.59 grams, 25.88 mm overall, 21.00 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)



Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection.

The inscription is to be segmented 'D MERGVR for D[EO] MERGVR[IO]' meaning '(dedicated) to the god Mercury'. A common formula for Roman inscriptions in Britain.

Shown standing nude with caduceus resting against the left forearm, a patera in the right hand, bunched lobes and centre-parted hairstyle; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 69 grams total, 98 mm including stand



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Mercury is one of the most widespread divinities among the votive statuettes of Roman Age. The god of the Roman pantheon was similar to the Greek Hermes and the Etruscan Turms.