Roman Silver-Gilt Military Belt Plate Group for an Elite Imperial Officer
4th-5th century A.D. Comprising three rectangular belt fittings: two with similar laurel leaf decoration and raised border, the third central plaque with two foliate pendants with punched decoration. Cf. Sommer, M., Die Gürtel und Gürtelbeschläge des 4. und 5. Jahrhunderts im römischen Reich, Bonner Hefte zur Vorgeschichte, 22, Bonn, 1980 (1984), pls.5, no.2; pl.12, nos.1-2; pl.38, no.4-5; 47, nos.3-6; 51, no.9; pl.69, nos.3-4.243 grams, 17 cm (6 3/4 in.). Acquired before the 1970s.Ex J.L. collection, Surrey, U.K., thence by descent. Most precious military belts were reserved for soldiers belonging to Legiones Palatinae, i.e. the legions forming part of the imperial Comitatus, accompanying the emperor in his military expeditions.