11-23-2017, 07:22 PM
Hinged boxes used for this purpose have been found in in the whole Roman Empire, where they tend to be date in a very wide historical range and are mostly of enameled bronze . Seal Boxes depicting imperial busts are with a high relief. Most of them have an ovoid shape. An example found in Ostia bearing the portraits of Hadrian and Sabina (p. 464, 151) and seal boxes with portraits of Vespasian and Domitian have been found in London and must have been used by high officials (P. Salway, A History of Roman Britain [Oxford 2001], p. 381).
This was certainly the case with this piece, especially given its splendid portrait of the Flavius Family, which was surely made by workers in the imperial mint in Rome and then sent out for official use in the provinces.
When the Romans sent important small packages by courier, such as documents or valuables, they were were placed in strong leather or cloth bags, which were sealed with a stout cord, the knot covered in wax and impressed with the sender's signet. To protect the wax seal, it and the knot were encased in a small, ornamental metal box with an hinged lid and three holes in the back for the cord. In addition, the lid could be kept closed by further cords sewn to the package and tied around it.
Publication Forum Ancient Coins :
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog...s=0&sold=1
Titus 79-81 AD. Orichalcum (the golden-colored bronze alloy) seal box cover depicting in high relief a magnificent portrait of the Roman Emperor Titus. Fine golden "Tiber" patina. Provenance: Acquired from the late Dr. Leo Mildenberg. Jackob Hirsch (1874-1955) Literature: Published: Nomos, Zurich, Auction 1, 6th May 2009, lot 144
Publication: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/354799276865970190/
The oval Victory sealbox :
Description:
Seal box oval ; on the cover , the top of a folded shape towards the upper side window terrain apparently molded : Victory advancing to the left , holding a crown.
Material: bronze
Suggested chronology: 80 / 150 AD
Occurences:
1: London, silts of the Thames (UK); London, British Museum, inv. PE 95.5-24.1 ; Notes 2, p. 167
2: Paris* [75] (FR), Cabinet des Médailles de la BnF, ht. 30mm (Babelon, Blanchet 1895, p. 581, n°1438) (dessin)
Bibliography:
Babelon, Blanchet 1895: E. Babelon, J.-A. Blanchet, Catalogue des bronzes antiques de la Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris 1895. télécharger Acheter
Publication Artefacts fr.
http://artefacts.mom.fr/en/result.php?id...mode=vign#
http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/pages/roman-seal-boxes.html
This was certainly the case with this piece, especially given its splendid portrait of the Flavius Family, which was surely made by workers in the imperial mint in Rome and then sent out for official use in the provinces.
When the Romans sent important small packages by courier, such as documents or valuables, they were were placed in strong leather or cloth bags, which were sealed with a stout cord, the knot covered in wax and impressed with the sender's signet. To protect the wax seal, it and the knot were encased in a small, ornamental metal box with an hinged lid and three holes in the back for the cord. In addition, the lid could be kept closed by further cords sewn to the package and tied around it.
Publication Forum Ancient Coins :
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog...s=0&sold=1
Titus 79-81 AD. Orichalcum (the golden-colored bronze alloy) seal box cover depicting in high relief a magnificent portrait of the Roman Emperor Titus. Fine golden "Tiber" patina. Provenance: Acquired from the late Dr. Leo Mildenberg. Jackob Hirsch (1874-1955) Literature: Published: Nomos, Zurich, Auction 1, 6th May 2009, lot 144
Publication: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/354799276865970190/
The oval Victory sealbox :
Description:
Seal box oval ; on the cover , the top of a folded shape towards the upper side window terrain apparently molded : Victory advancing to the left , holding a crown.
Material: bronze
Suggested chronology: 80 / 150 AD
Occurences:
1: London, silts of the Thames (UK); London, British Museum, inv. PE 95.5-24.1 ; Notes 2, p. 167
2: Paris* [75] (FR), Cabinet des Médailles de la BnF, ht. 30mm (Babelon, Blanchet 1895, p. 581, n°1438) (dessin)
Bibliography:
Babelon, Blanchet 1895: E. Babelon, J.-A. Blanchet, Catalogue des bronzes antiques de la Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris 1895. télécharger Acheter
Publication Artefacts fr.
http://artefacts.mom.fr/en/result.php?id...mode=vign#
http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/pages/roman-seal-boxes.html
