Romano-British Enamelled Bronze Eagle Brooch

Composed of a central domed boss and openwork volutes to the sides; for a sword belt or a chariot, one corner separated. 69 grams, 14 cm wide

Good condition, very rare

Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

In the 3rd century A.D. the sword (spatha) was mainly carried suspended from a broad baldric usually on the soldier’s left side. This sword’s shoulder belt, visible on many monuments related to the 3rd century, was composed from a leather strap, reinforced on the rims. The four specimens of Vimose provided valuable information about the shape of the baldric: one end was broad and finished in a straight edge, the other tapered to a narrow strip. They were decorated with silver disks (phalerae) of circa 6.4 cm of diameter, with rings on the reverse for fastening. These phalerae were of different shapes, styles and decorations: we can observe a range from simple copper-alloy discs to bronze openwork pieces fitted with a plate or an openwork disc showing elaborate figures. They were usually attached at about 29-30 cm from the wider and squared top of the baldric. One of the finial parts of the baldric was in fact very wide and ended with a straight edge, upon which could be placed a hinged rectangular openwork terminal plate (like our specimen), attached to a belt terminal pendant. The lack of holes for the attachment rivets in our specimen could also support the thesis that the piece is not for a baldric, but a mount for cart or chariot as some examples in a similar style found in Roman North Africa.

Red marble pestle or grinding tool, the handle formed as a thumb with knuckle and nail detailing; old collector's label '2' to underside. 312 grams, 12 cm



Ex private collection, Mrs L.S., 1980s. Acquired from the above, 1999. Private European collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12096-218201. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Such items were mainly used by medical staff for grinding ingredients such as medicinal compounds, cosmetics and culinary spices.

Spherical in profile with flat base, large raised concentric circles in two bands with smaller similar motifs between; separate balustered neck. 310 grams total, 40-66 mm



Acquired in London in 2002. European private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12686-234678. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

This is a rare type of Roman vessel, dated to the late Imperial period, between the late 3rd and 4th century A.D. The closest known parallel is a near-identical example in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, which retains its original chain attachment and suspension holes at the shoulder. Such vessels were likely sealed with a perishable stopper and intended for storing or transporting perfumes or cosmetic oils.