Ave!

Clasp, Cabinet, ca. 1st-3rd Cent AD

Copper alloy; 50mm/26.6gm!

Con/ about As Cast and Fabricated; green patina, cleaned, not waxed.

Seller's Note/ This heavy duty clasp was not used with a lock or key and was affixed to the top side of a small box or cabinet. As seen in the photo, there is a small hole at the lower end. Below the clasp would have been a swiveling latch to hold it in place, similar to this one. Was this used to keep the contents secret and safe from idle hands? No. Most likely, the box/cabinet must have been reasonably heavy, with a carry handle on the top that would have allowed the Roman owner to move it about his home or villa as needed. Neat!