Roman Stone Weight with Handle

The upper part of a Beneficiarius dedicatory spear or sceptre, comprising a circular-section shaft with an ivy leaf finial, a crescent (lunula) below and the point with triple acorn-shaped spheres; the lower end of the shaft square-section and with a rosette for attaching it to the wooden part, engraved with X-motifs and circumferential lines. 62 grams, 49 cm



Found Cambridgeshire, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

The beneficiarii, within the Roman army, were soldiers exempted from menial duties and acting as orderlies of senior officers; they were also charged with particular duties by governors and generals. Their distinctive insignia were decorated spears, often with a point shaped like an ivy leaf. The military stela from Perinth depicting a 3rd century beneficiarius shows a very similar spear, mounted over a particular structure on the midshaft of the spear.

Standing nude on one leg on a cuboid socle base, the other leg raised and extended, right arm raised and bent, hand open to accept a sceptre, left arm extended with patera in the open hand, short mantle to the shoulders, hair and rays framing the face. 57 grams, 72 mm including stand



Acquired on the German art market before 2000. From an EU collection before 2020.

Comprising: a bird-in-flight with incised annulets and X-motifs to the body, accompanied by a typed ticket 'Roman bronze brooch of bird in flight, beautifully incised decoration, iron pin intact, 2nd century AD, authenticated by British Museum, 30/5/2006'; a penannular brooch with clubbed terminals; a bow brooch with carinated bow. 31 grams total, 31-63 mm



Acquired in the 1980s-1990s. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman.