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Roman Bronze/Silver Phalera Military Decoration browse these categories for related items... Directory: Antiques:Regional Art:Ancient World:Roman:Bronze: Pre AD 1000: Item # 755493
Apolonia Ancient Art 290 Fillmore St. #D Denver, CO. 80206 303-321-7351 gallery Guest Book $1375.00 |
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| This interesting piece is a Roman bronze and silver phalera, which is a Roman military decoration. This piece dates circa 2nd century A.D., is approximately 2.5 inches in diameter and .5 inches deep, and has an attractive dark green patina with spotty red highlights. This piece was an award for bravery and outstanding achievement, and by the mid-second century A.D., these awards developed into a set pattern and a scale according to rank. (See "The Roman Imperial Army" by G. Webster, A&C Black Pub., London, 1985, page.132.) An award such as this phalera was usually given to centurions, or officers of higher rank, usually by the general of the Legion at an award ceremony. This piece has traces of silver inlay in the lower relief area on the front face, and the outer rim shows a Greek egg-and-dart pattern. The inner circle seen at the center has a wheel pattern symbol that was also silver inlay. There is also a small hole at the center which probably supported a silver floral element. There is a Roman tombstone (Seen in the Mainz Museum, Germany, and published in the reference above, Plate VII.) that shows a standing Roman aquilifer of the Legion XIV Gemina, who was a standard-bearer, wearing a cuirass that shows nine phalarae on the lower chest area. (See attached photo.) The nine phalerae seen on the Mainz Museum tombstone are strikingly analogous to the example offered here, and are arranged in a schematic pattern in three rows with three per row. The phalerae were attached to the cuirass with a leather harness, and the piece offered here has hoops at the back for attachment. These phalerae were also attached as equestrian fittings, but these equestrian types usually do not have gold/silver inlay and the high degree of art that the example offered here shows. The piece offered here has minute detail of design and was probably worn by the owner. Phalerae such as this piece are seldom offered on the market, and this example is an important piece of Roman militaria. Mounted on a custom stand and can easily be removed. Ex: D. Michaels collection, Los Angeles, CA. I certify that this object is authentic as to date, culture, and condition: | ||
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