Roman Bronze Scallop Shell Attachment Pair
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D. Each composed of shell-shaped body with a D-shaped lug to reverse, the lug with tapering spike to the centre. Cf. Boucher, S., Inventaire des Collections Publiques Françaises - 17 Vienne: Bronzes Antiques, Paris, 1971, items 658ff., pp.200-201.343 grams total, 12.5 cm each (5 in.). Private collection, Rosenheim, Germany, 1960s. This pair could have been used as a double key or door lock, based on comparison with some keys from the territory of Gaul (Boucher, 1971, pp.200-201). They comprised a strong ring with polygonal-section stem and a rectangular point. [2]