Quote:Roman armor at the height of the empire was much different from the solid, muscled curiasses that we tend to associate with the ancient world. To allow maximum flexibility and ease of movement, the Romans developed a segmented type of armor that we refer to as lorica segmentata. This armor consisted of strips and plaques of armor that were hooked and buckled together to make a flexible, protective covering that could be more easily repaired by simply replacing damaged pieces. (Please see the last two photographs for a diagram of armor segments and a drawing of a full suit of this type of armor.) While putting the armor on was a bit like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, this superior armor gave the later Roman army a decided advantage in combat.
This segment of armor is one of two bronze alloy breastplates that rode over the chest directly beneath the neck. Dating to the 2nd century A.D., this piece of armor would have literally sat directly over the heart of a Roman soldier who fought at the historical peak of the empire. Given that most of the Guttman collection came from western Europe, it is very likely that the owner of this armor could have fought against the Germanic tribes under Trajan, Hadrian, or Marcus Aurelius! The repousee bust on the plaque is of the god Mars, who was the Roman deity of war and combat. He wears a high-crested helmet cavalry helmet, some of which is lost to damage. Directly below the bust is a repousee shield, and above him are a few remains of a repousee legionary eagle, most of which was lost due to damage. Note also the holes and slots around the periphery where other plaques would have attached. This piece includes one partial remnant hook in the hole at the top point where the mid-collar shoulder plate would have attached, and the ancient "washer" that kept the two plates from rubbing together is still intact!

A particularly interesting aspect of this plaque is that it has a punch-hole inscription where the soldier had personalized the armor. One inscription is found above and to the left of the bust, the other is at the very bottom edge of the segment.

The Guttman collection was one of the world's premier collections of military history, and it housed some of the finest Roman military artifacts in the private domain. Much of the collection has been sold through Christies over two auctions in 2002 and 2004. This armor plaque was sold in the 2004 auction, and I will provide information on the specific lot (in addition to the original Christies tags and a scan of the catalog page describing the lot) to the buyer. Please note that I have three similar breastplates from the same lot also listed!

AGE: 2nd century A.D.

CONDITION: In good shape overall. A mostly outdated European practice for antiquities was to strip bronze objects clean of their patinas, which happened to this plaque. It was then stabilized and re-coated with an artificial patina. This appears a little odd, but it was a perfectly normal practice at the time that the Guttman collection was assembled. Please note the damage to the top half, which may very well have occurred to the severe detriment of the original owner! The very top has been reattached as a result of this damage.

DIMENSIONS: Just under 8" tall

Quote:That pieces are, as Jasper has said, for the breast and for close the neck opening of squamata and less probably hamata.

Quote:Pair of bronze plates from Manching, Germany, which are believed to have been worn on the chest of a mail or scale shirt. Owing to their elaborate nature they may have been reserved for use during the hippika gymnasia.