Roman, Imperial Period, probably from Britain but may also be from northern Gaul (France), ca. late 2nd century CE. A gorgeous example of an enameled bronze ornament - a large, round, bronze medallion with a round enamel inlay and two bronze chains attached through two holes punched through the upper sides. The enamel inlay is a series of concentric circles: a rich red outer border with thin lines of blue and white through it; a middle white band with blue dots inside of it; blue band with tiny white and red flowers in it; and finally a red center. The unenameled body has incised lines giving it the look of a spinning wheel; a remaining stud on one side suggests that it once had more places for attachment. This surface may once have been silvered based on the patina. Size of medallion: 2.75" W (7 cm); length of longest chain: 6.8" L (17.3 cm)

Enameling on base metals like bronze was a Celtic artistic tradition that the Roman Empire assimilated as they conquered territory. In southern Britain, the technique of enameling developed ca. 200 BCE from the use of coral and then opaque red glass to decorate bronze, silver, and gold objects. The development of different colors of enamel allow us to date these pretty objects. Blue was one of the last colors to enter the decorative palette, and places this medallion in the late 2nd century CE; the use of three colors then limits it to approximately before the 3rd century CE, when style shifted so that these objects became predominantly just blue and white. Like this one, these ornaments are often elaborate and stylish, with bright blues, reds, and other colors, reminding us that, although today it can seem darker, the ancient world was just as colorful as our own.

Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection

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#132984

Ends of each chain are lost. Medallion is missing edges as shown and is slightly bent. Small losses to enamel, especially the red. Pretty pale green patina on bronze surfaces with what may be the remains of silvering, especially visible in the upper left (facing).