Romano-British Bronze Grotesque Head Mount

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. 152 grams, 11.2 cm



Acquired 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.

Most 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.

Comprising six polished discoid counters and a single dice, the latter configured: 1:6; 2:5; 3:4 in punched ring-and-dot markers. 8 grams total, 7-18 mm



Found Billingsgate spoil from the Thames foreshore, London, UK.

Comprising agate, carnelian, jasper and other stones, displaying intaglio busts and scenes including: Hercules wrestling the Nemean lion; female busts in profile; cockerel standing right; seated winged deity; an erotic scene; peacock or other bird; eagle grappling with a snake; two figures, possibly gladiators in combat; each accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 6.97 grams total, 11-15 mm



Ex property of a Bristol family collection formed between 1960-late 1970s. Two from a London collection, UK.