Roman Oyster Fork

A copper-alloy zoomorphic plate brooch, in the shape of a deer with two legs, a short tail and a complete antler, characterised by a series of transverse grooves, the body of the animal with the inscription 'FLAINA' in Latin letters; pin lugs and remains of ferrous pin to the reverse. 11.5 grams, 41 mm



Acquire in the 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

Roman fibulae came in a variety of shapes and embellishments. In the Roman Empire, the fibula was both functional and decorative, as men and women wore it to fasten their aprons and cloaks. A similar function was performed by pins intended to hold heavy garments such as cloaks. This type of fibulae were probably produced in Pannonia, from where they were exported around the Empire. Another centre of production of deer fIbulae was probably Roman Britannia.

A set of military belt elements comprising: a buckle with 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; three rectangular belt fittings, two with similar laurel leaf decoration and raised border, the central plaque with two foliate pendants with punched decoration. 390 grams total, 27.5 cm wide

Very fine, excellent condition

Acquired before the 1970s. Ex J.L. collection, Surrey, U.K., thence by decent. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11588-199387.

Most precious military belts, like this one, were reserved to soldiers belonging to Legiones Palatinae, i.e. the legions forming part of the imperial Comitatus, accompanying the emperor in his military expeditions.

A stucco muscular torso from a cornice modelled in the half-round; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 3.05 kg total, 21.2 cm high (31 cm including stand)

Fair condition.

Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.