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LOT 0088
Roman Silver-Gilt Military Belt Plate with Hercules Killing the Nemean Lion
4TH CENTURY A.D.
2 x 1 7/8 in. (5 1/8 x 5 1/8 in.) (234 grams total, 53 x 37 mm (13 x 13 cm including frame)).
Comprising a repoussé panel with the nude hero wearing a mantle and killing the beast, a palm of victory underneath his feet, a dog attacking the lion from above, foliage around the scene; two fixing studs to the reverse; accompanied by a frame.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
See Sommer, M., Die Gürtel und Gürtelbeschläge des 4. und 5. Jahrhunderts im römischen Reich, Bonner Hefte zur Vorgeschichte, 22, Bonn, 1980 (1984), pl.54, 11, for similar; see also The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Romans and Barbarians, Boston, 1976, p.75, no.107.
FootnotesThe belt fitting finds parallels with belt parts from Asia Minor, today in the British Museum, inv. EC 252-254. These kind of plates, decorative and engraved with classical scenes, can possibly be dated to the age of Theodosius I. The quality of decoration can support the thesis that they belonged to the officers of the Comitatus (the Imperial mobile army).
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0088
Roman Silver-Gilt Military Belt Plate with Hercules Killing the Nemean Lion
Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
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Roman Red Ware Bowl Fragment with Gladiator
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
From the upper part of a vessel, displaying a bird, a satyr head and a caduceus, a leaping wild horse and a gladiator within a roundel. 71.9 grams, 98 mm
Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
These kind of fragments are often found in military camps. In addition to simple cooking pots, jugs, plates and mortars, the household effects of a contubernium (the smallest organised unit of soldiers in the Roman army composed of eight legionaries) also included finer eating and drinking utensils. To avoid confusion, many soldiers marked their dishes with their names and, if necessary, repaired them with the help of lead clips. -
Roman Bronze Military Equestrian Pelta Fitting
1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Formed with an openwork pelta-shaped body with roughly circular void; sub-rectangular projecting fitting lug. 94 grams, 86 mm
Acquired on the EU art market around 2000. From the collection of a North American gentleman. -
Roman Silver Ingot with Palm Branch
1st-4th century A.D.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £167
Incised with a palm frond within a hatched border, hatching to three of the side edges. 14.5 grams, 26 mm
‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.
