Ancient Roman Bronze fastened with a belt tongue (No reserve price)

Ancient Roman Bronze Buckle with Strap Plate and Decorated Strap End

Culture / Period: Ancient Roman
Date / Period: 1st–2nd century AD
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 45–50 mm
Condition: Good condition, with age-related wear, surface oxidation and natural green and dark patination. The buckle retains its fastening pin and attached plate, while the strap end displays well-preserved circular decoration. See photographs for details.

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Provenance information:

Object Registration ID: 1057

The current owner (S.N.J. S.) purchased the bronze buckle with strap plate and decorated strap end from J.P. in Eijsden, the Netherlands.

The previous owner, J.P. from Eijsden (the Netherlands), stated that the objects had been in his collection since the 1990s.

According to the previous owner, the objects had previously been in a private collection in the Netherlands since the 1990s.

No further information concerning the earlier ownership history was available from the previous owner.

Background Information:

Bronze buckles, strap plates and decorative strap ends formed an important part of Roman personal and military equipment during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. These fittings were used to secure and decorate leather belts and straps, combining practical functionality with the characteristic craftsmanship of the early Roman Imperial period. Belts were important accessories in Roman society, worn by civilians and soldiers alike, and frequently decorated with carefully manufactured bronze fittings.

This group consists of a substantial bronze buckle with a rectangular frame, preserved fastening pin and broad attachment plate, accompanied by an elongated decorative strap end. The strap end features a tapering body with a rounded terminal and a series of ring-and-dot motifs distributed across its surface. Two shaped openings at the wider end provided attachment points for securing the fitting to leather equipment. The combination of functional construction and geometric decoration illustrates the attention Roman metalworkers devoted to everyday accessories.

In the Roman army, the military belt, known as the cingulum militare, was an important element of a soldier's equipment and appearance. It could support weapons and personal accessories, while its metal fittings contributed to the distinctive character of military dress. Buckles, strap plates and decorative terminals were also used on other leather equipment, including horse harnesses, bags and personal belongings.

The circular ring-and-dot decoration visible on the strap end represents a well-established ornamental tradition in Roman metalworking. Such motifs were produced using punches or engraving tools and appeared on military fittings, belt accessories, furniture attachments and other bronze objects. Their repeated arrangement created attractive geometric patterns while demonstrating the precision of Roman craftsmen.

Roman bronze fittings were commonly manufactured through casting, followed by filing, drilling and hand-finishing. Buckles and attachment plates required robust construction to withstand regular use, while decorative elements reflected the artistic preferences of their period. Specialised workshops supplied these objects to civilian markets and military communities throughout the Roman provinces.

During the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, particularly under the Flavian, Trajanic, Hadrianic and Antonine emperors, the Roman Empire maintained extensive military and commercial networks connecting the Mediterranean with its northern provinces. Military forts, towns and civilian settlements along the Rhine frontier created a considerable demand for leather equipment and bronze fittings. Comparable objects circulated across large distances, reaching regions such as present-day Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.