Ancient Roman, Empire Legionary Gladus Amulet (No reserve price)
16
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14
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€ 1
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 210 - € 250
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Ancient Roman bronze amulet in the form of a miniature Legionary Gladius, about 43.5 mm long, with olive‑green patina, dating to the 1st–2nd century AD, original and acquired from an auction house in Poland in 2026, with a Certificate of Authenticity available on request for items with a hammer price of €100 or more.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Roman bronze amulet in the form of a miniature Legionary Gladius (short sword), featuring a tapering blade, pierced with a circular opening along the body. At the end is a stepped collar, leading to a solid spherical pommel.
-> Miniature weapon pendants were worn throughout the Roman world as personal amulets. Such objects symbolised strength, protection, and martial power, reflecting the importance of military culture within Roman society.
-> Small representations of weapons such as swords, daggers, and axes are known from Roman contexts and were often worn as symbolic talismans, possibly intended to invoke protection or the virtues associated with Roman soldiers.
Length: ± 43.5 mm
Condition: Well-proportioned amulet in good and solid condition with a smooth olive-green patina, typical of ancient bronze. Minor surface irregularities and signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format) for items with a hammer price of € 100 or more.
-> A Gladius amulet is one of the most attractive and desirable ancient amulets. These were issued to soldiers in combat.
The Roman Gladius was the primary sword for Roman foot soldiers. Early Roman swords were based on the Greek xiphe. From the 3rd century BC the Romans adopted and improved the swords of the Celtiberians in Hispania (modern-day Spain), known as a 'gladius hispaniensis'.
A Roman Legionair was equipped with a gladius (sword), pugio (dagger), scutum (shield), a pila (javelin).
Gladii were two-edged for cutting and had a tapered point for stabbing. A solid grip was provided by a knobbed hilt added on, possibly with ridges for the fingers. The hilt (capulus) was often ornate.
The gladius was sheathed in a scabbard mounted on a belt or shoulder strap. A centurion wore it on the opposite side as a mark of distinction.
Towards the end of the 2nd century AD and during the 3rd century the spatha gradually replaced the gladius in the Roman Legions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Roman bronze amulet in the form of a miniature Legionary Gladius (short sword), featuring a tapering blade, pierced with a circular opening along the body. At the end is a stepped collar, leading to a solid spherical pommel.
-> Miniature weapon pendants were worn throughout the Roman world as personal amulets. Such objects symbolised strength, protection, and martial power, reflecting the importance of military culture within Roman society.
-> Small representations of weapons such as swords, daggers, and axes are known from Roman contexts and were often worn as symbolic talismans, possibly intended to invoke protection or the virtues associated with Roman soldiers.
Length: ± 43.5 mm
Condition: Well-proportioned amulet in good and solid condition with a smooth olive-green patina, typical of ancient bronze. Minor surface irregularities and signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format) for items with a hammer price of € 100 or more.
-> A Gladius amulet is one of the most attractive and desirable ancient amulets. These were issued to soldiers in combat.
The Roman Gladius was the primary sword for Roman foot soldiers. Early Roman swords were based on the Greek xiphe. From the 3rd century BC the Romans adopted and improved the swords of the Celtiberians in Hispania (modern-day Spain), known as a 'gladius hispaniensis'.
A Roman Legionair was equipped with a gladius (sword), pugio (dagger), scutum (shield), a pila (javelin).
Gladii were two-edged for cutting and had a tapered point for stabbing. A solid grip was provided by a knobbed hilt added on, possibly with ridges for the fingers. The hilt (capulus) was often ornate.
The gladius was sheathed in a scabbard mounted on a belt or shoulder strap. A centurion wore it on the opposite side as a mark of distinction.
Towards the end of the 2nd century AD and during the 3rd century the spatha gradually replaced the gladius in the Roman Legions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman, Empire
Century/timeframe
1st - 2nd century AD
Name of object
Legionary Gladus Amulet
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2026
Country acquired from
Poland
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Auction house
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
Previous owner - country acquired from
Poland
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
