R21

Roman pair of bronze roundels

A pair of round bronze attachments, each decorated with a cast and incised female head in high relief. These were probably intended to decorate a piece of furniture or casket and may represent Medusa whose mask was often applied to personal possessions as a protective symbol.

Roman, 1st to 3rd Century AD

Both roundels have been restored along a very small patch of the top of the rim (presumably to conceal where some erosion was caused by the original attachment device). The present holes on either side are not ancient. The metal is robust and would benefit from a professional clean.

Size: 4.4 x 1.7 cms each

Ex. private collection, UK.