Lot 421 A ROMAN GILT SILVER PHALERA WITH WINGED HEAD OF MEDUSA, 1ST-2ND CENTURY AD

A Roman silver gilt phalera with a facing Gorgon head rendered in repouse, with a circular frame. A well known type, often used in decorations the cuirass used by Roman officers from the 1-3rd.c.A.D. The type is often used as the centrepiece for the breastplate, as type to protect the owner. The style suggests a date of the middle second century till that of the early third. The phalera was attached by the flanges on the inside edge of plate, they were probably passed through the leather cuirass.
A substantial ornamental silver armour phalera with gilt detailing, embossed face of the Gorgon, Medusa, to the centre with detailed eyes eyebrows and mouth, strong nasal ridge extending towards the forehead, furrowed brow with a pair of wings emerging from the curly hair framing the face, a pair of snakes knotted beneath the chin; wide edge with beaded rim and wavy pointille decoration; accompanied by a discoid bronze sheet to which the fastening pins were attached to.
Diameter 11 cm.
71 gr.