Ave!

Belt End, Heart-shaped with Gold Leaf, ca. 4th Cent AD, RARE!

Copper alloy beneath Gold Leaf; 36mm/13.5gm

Con/ Broken, otherwise, see the photo! Somewhat cleaned...and waxed, anyway. :-)

Description/ Split top, one of two remaining rivets; with much of the original gold foil still preserved beneath the heavily oxidized surface. 

Ref/ None - Not listed in A&L or B&C. Are you kidding me right now?

Seller's Note/ As noted above, the gold foil (not gold wash) was so thick that, after so many century's under ground, the copper alloy began to slowly oxidize and leak onto the surface, causing the heavy encrustations seen in the photos. Due to the encrustations and the fragility of the gold foil, we wisely decided to halt any further cleaning.

As to whom wore this certainly expensive belt is moot. We can only surmise that it was an important legionary officer who had enough cash to spend on just his belt. Wow!

What we have described as heart-shaped, is not exactly correct. The ancient Romans were never shy, you know? Such belt ends were worn long, near the crotch. Thus it is actually a Figural Depiction of a mans scrotum. OMG!