Loading, please wait...
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.
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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
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)
-
Roman Balsamarium with Spool-Type Mouth
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £845
A piriform bronze balsamarium with a broad rounded shoulder, slender waisted neck and squat, spool-type mouth. 207 grams, 12 cm high
From the collection of the late Dr D.G., Surrey, UK.
Such vessels, with their high-bellied body, are similar to examples from Palestine, Pompeii, Phocis, Brigetio and Salona. They are not fitted with handles, meaning that they were not part of a portable set. -
Roman Glass Flask with Trails
1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
A pear-shaped pale green glass flask with broad flared neck, applied trails to the neck and broader, undulating trails to the equator embellished with raised ledges; areas of iridescence; old French collection label to base dated c.1900 A.D. 59 grams, 12 cm high
French collection, 1960s-early 2000s. From an important Paris gallery, France. -
Late Roman Double-Sided Bulla with Inscription
4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
A bronze discoid bulla, cut from a larger bronze plaque in antiquity with fragments of Greek inscription; Side A: 'ΦΛΑ [..]/ΟΥΙΑC/ YΟΠΠΗC[..]'; Side B: '[..]N[..]ENΤΙΟΥ/EΠΙCΚOΠΟΥ'. 165 grams, 58 mm
Acquired 1969-1999. London collection of the late S.M., thence by descent.
The bulla probably belonged to a bishop, probably to a certain Vinkentios (N[..]ENΤΙΟΥ/EΠΙCΚOΠΟΥ = of Vincentius Bishop) and as well as a woman named Flavia from Joppa (ΦΛΑ [..]/ΟΥΙΑC/ YΟΠΠΗC), probably his servant. It could have been used as a weight or as a personal sign to fulfil various activities in the name of the owner.
