Code: 12549
This is an ancient Roman bronze zoomorphic brooch dating to the 2nd century AD. It is decorated with blue enamel cells and represents a Lamprey fish. During the Augustan era, Publius Vedius Pollio was infamous for executing his slaves by feeding them into a pool of Lampreys! This brooch is missing the pin; it may have been converted into a pendant in antiquity. It is rare, as this is the first example of the type I have ever seen!
OBJECT: Brooch
CULTURE: Roman
DATE: c. 2nd century A.D.
MATERIAL: Bronze
SIZE: 22mm x 24mm x 2mm
WEIGHT: 3.1 grams
PROVENANCE: Ex. Private Collection London, originally a detector find from Cirencester
