921 - Fittings from a Samnite belt, 4th century B.C.

Fittings from a Samnite belt, 4th century B.C. Seven matching bronze belt fittings. 1) End fitting with a belt hook. An oblong sheet of metal with a protruding tongue at one end, the edge of which is profiled by an arch and two points at the corners. On the tongue is a palmette. In front of it is a meander and a “running dog,” followed by two large knobs encircled by smaller ones. Immediately before the other end are two egg-shaped attachments with a round projection, which served to secure belt hooks. The belt hooks are broken off and no longer present. On the attachments, a palmette is incised with engraved lines. Preserved length: 16 cm. 2) A matching fitting with two pairs of holes for the belt hooks, allowing it to be adjusted to the wearer’s waist circumference. The decoration repeats elements of the fitting with the belt hooks: A meander and a “running dog,” followed by two large bosses encircled by smaller bosses. In addition, there is a row of bosses flanked by two zigzag bands and another large boss encircled by smaller bosses. Length 15.5 cm. 3-4) Two rectangular fittings with large knobs, surrounded by smaller knobs; each edge features a row of knobs flanked by dots. Length 5.2 cm each. 5–6) Two wheel-shaped fittings with bosses in the center and on the rims, ribs along the center of the spokes, and dots along the edges. Width: 6.5 cm each. 7) Back fitting with profiling on the sides similar to the end fitting with the belt hooks. A palmette decorated with dots between four studs. The edge is bordered by dots. Length: 6 cm. All fittings are equipped with rivets at the corners and in the center for attachment to a base made of organic material. All feature a reddish-brown patina. All fittings are mounted on a Plexiglas backing. Length of the Plexiglas plate: 90.5 cm. The height of all fittings corresponds to the height of the Plexiglas plate: 6.5 cm. CULTURAL HERITAGE! Provenance: French private collection, acquired from Hermann Historica on April 22, 2009, Auction 57, Lot 347. Previously in the Axel Guttmann Collection. (1944–2001). Inventory number AG 647/R176). Condition: II–III