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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 Silver-Gilt Military Belt Plate with Hercules Killing the Nemean Lion
4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,040
A silver-gilt strap tongue from military belt, rectangular shape with soldered bead on the back, a repoussé work representing Hercules, naked and covered only by a mantle, killing the Nemean lion, a palm of victory under the feet of the hero, a dog attacking the lion from above, foliage around the scene. 18.5 grams, 53 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The belt fitting finds parallels with parts of belt from Asia Minor, today at the British Museum, inv. EC 252-254. These kind of plates, decorative and engraved with classical scenes, can be dated possibly to the age of Theodosius I. The quality of decoration can support the thesis of their belonging to officers of the Comitatus (the Imperial mobile army). -
Roman Head of a Noble Lady
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £351
A bronze head formed as that of a Roman lady of noble rank, with an oval-shaped face, semi-naturalistic facial features and elaborately dressed hair; hollow reverse. 55.5 grams, 42 mm
Acquired early 2000s. Property of a Birmingham, UK, collector. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Silver Knuckle Bone Gaming Piece
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
A silver knuckle bone gaming piece. 3.6 grams, 13 mm
Essex gallery, early 2000s.
