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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 Ceramic Brick with Military Stamp of Legio I Italica
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
Of rectangular form, a recess to one face bearing letters in relief 'LEG I ITAL' for First Italic Legion. 1.9 kg, 27 x 12.5 cm
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
The Legio I Italica ('of Italy') was a Roman legion formed by Nero on September 20, 66 or 67 A.D. and it was active until the 5th-6th century AD. The emblems of the legion were a running boar and sometimes a bull. Troops of this legion appear on Trajan's Column bridging a river. The main camp of the Legio was Novae, modern Bulgaria, but it operated in most of the imperial provinces, including Britain, where a vexillatio fought in the wars of Septimius Severus between 202 and 204 A.D. -
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Animals
Circa 1st century B.C. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £520
Of plano-convex form, depicting an ear of wheat, a fly, an elephant in profile, a mouse and a locust; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 1.68 grams, 17 mm
Ex property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent. -
Roman Bronze Seated Hunting Hound
1st-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £222
Modelled seated with head held skywards, howling; semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing. 39 grams, 56 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.
