82

82: A Roman Bronze Shield Boss

Currency:USD Category:Antiquities Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
82: A Roman Bronze Shield Boss
Rome, , ca 1st century AD. Circular, convex bronze shield boss coming to a rounded peak in center. Rim decorated with raised undulating line circling the outside of piece. 2 small piercings on rim on either side for attachment. Covered with green Patina.

Bosses for Roman shields usually reflect the shape, so we can guess that this piece comes from a round shield, most likely a flat auxiliary shield. Shield bosses were made of iron or copper alloy, when made in copper the object could be spun rather than beaten into shape and therefore produced more quickly. For similar example, see Roman Military Equipment from the Punic Wars to the fall of Rome, by M.C. Bishop and J.C.N. Coulstone, B.T. Batsford LTD (London): 1993, fig. 46 pg. 83

Dimensions: Circumference, 5.75" (14.6 centimeters). Height with mount 6.5" (16.5 centimeters)

Provenance: Paul Ilton private collection, acquired prior 1958.