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LOT 0111
Roman Silver-Gilt Military Buckle of an Elite Imperial Officer
4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.
10 3/4 in. (390 grams total, 27.5 cm wide).
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.
ProvenanceAcquired 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.
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 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.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0111
Roman Silver-Gilt Military Buckle of an Elite Imperial Officer
Estimate £5,000 - 7,000€5,800 - 8,120 (for guidance only)$6,750 - 9,450 (for guidance only)
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Roman Style Silver Ring with Cupid Riding a Dolphin Gemstone
20th century A.D. or earlierEstimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
A silver finger ring with inset onyx gemstone, intaglio of a boy riding on the back of a dolphin and wielding a whip. 9.29 grams, 27.65 mm overall, 20.67 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)
English private collection. -
Roman Mount with Flavian Emperor
Late 1st century A.D.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
A copper-alloy appliqué protome in the form of the Flavian Emperor Vespasian, frontal bust in half relief, wearing an exomis leaving his right shoulder uncovered, solid suspension ring to the top of the head. 52.3 grams, 60 mm
Acquired 1969-1999. London collection of the late Mr S.M., thence by descent.
The realism in the details is remarkable and was achieved through fine modelling. This protome was perhaps set in a medallion to decorate the lower terminal of a fulcrum, an S-shaped couch attachment almost always made of metal which was fastened to the side of a wooden headboard to serve as an elbow-rest on a couch (kline). -
Roman Gold Lunula Pendant
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
A crescentic gold lunula pendant with granule clusters to the terminals and body, granulated suspension loop. 1.78 grams, 28 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
