★ Interesting Subject ★

A ROMAN APPLIQUE IN THE FORM OF THE HEAD OF A BARBARIAN
Circa 2nd-3rd century AD.
Applique with hollow reverse depicting a balding Barbarian with long pointed beard. The hair on the head is indicated by crescent-shaped punches/incisions, the beard by deeply engraved wavy lines. An incised (palm) branch on the forehead, and a short, abbreviated inscription on the proper right side. Originally attached to a larger object (remains of solder) and punched/pierced at some point.
L 58 mm, H 23 mm

From the collection of an Austrian art dealer, acquired on the European art market.