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LOT 0084
Roman Silver-Gilt Military Buckle for an Elite Imperial Officer
4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.
4 3/8 in. (152 grams, 11.2 cm).
Comprising a 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.
ProvenanceAcquired before the 1970s.
Ex J.L. collection, Surrey, U.K., thence by descent.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.203881.
Cf. Sommer, M., Die Gürtel und Gürtelbeschläge des 4. und 5. Jahrhunderts im römischen Reich, Bonner Hefte zur Vorgeschichte, 22, Bonn, 1980 (1984), pls.5, no.2; pl.12, nos.1-2; pl.38 no.4-5; 47 nos.3-6; 51, no.9; pl.69 nos.3-4.
FootnotesMost precious military buckles, like this one, were reserved for soldiers belonging to Legiones Palatinae, i.e. the legions forming part of the imperial Comitatus, accompanying the emperor in his military expeditions.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0084
Roman Silver-Gilt Military Buckle for an Elite Imperial Officer
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800
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Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Pan Combat Scene
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Displaying scene of Pan battling a horned goat beneath a tree; chipped. 0.55 grams, 13 mm
Acquired 1970-2010. From the collection of a late Japanese gentleman. -
Roman Bronze Chariot Wheel Hub Group
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Comprising three pairs of fittings of different types. 1.58 kg total, 7-13.6 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. -
Roman Danubian Temple-Shaped Lead Plaque with Helen of Troy
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
Displaying a figural scene in relief composed of a mounted rider (Dioscuros) advancing left towards the figure of Helen of Troy, in the upper register, the sun and the moon, behind the cavalryman a woman or image of Nike holding a crown upon his head. 74 grams, 90 mm
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
The image of Sol Invictus assumed a great importance in the Danubian cult: the frequent representation of the celestial gods on the plaques is paralleled by their representation on monuments of other mystery cults, particularly the cult of Mithras. The image of a Dioscuros on horseback is linked to that of the Danubian rider.
