3rd century AD. A large openwork bronze military mount, baldric appliqué, destined to be vertically fixed on the front part of the suspension belt together with a phalera and a baldric terminal; mounted on a custom-made stand. See Bishop, M. C., Coulston, J.C.N., Roman military equipment, from the Punic wars to the fall of Rome, London, 2006, figs.100 nn. 9,10 for style of baldric decorative appliques; Miks, C., Studien zur Romischen Schwertbewaffnung in der Kaiserzeit, I-II Banden, Rahden, 2007; Appels A., Laycock S., Roman buckles and military fittings, Witham, 2007; Beutler F., Farka C., Gugl C., Humer F., Kremer, G., Pollhammer (ed.), Der Adler Roms, Carnuntum und die Armee der Caesaren, Bad Voslau, 2017, cat, 256, for similar baldric appliqués. 190 grams total, 15cm including stand (6"). From the private collection of Antony John Scammell (1937-2019); acquired from Den of Antiquity, Cambridge, UK, in 2014; accompanied by the original invoice and guarantee. During the 3rd century AD, rectangular openwork plates, heart-shaped pendants and phalerae were joined together and attached to the broad end of the baldric swords, always worn on the left side of the wearer, judging from the iconography (Bishop-Coulston, 2006, p.162) Antony John Scammell (1937-2019) was born, and lived his entire life, in the city of Bristol, England. Already from an early age he was enthralled by history and the heroes that it created. While serving overseas with the British Army, Antony began collecting coins and banknotes and this led to collecting a variety of different items throughout his life. From the early 1960s onward, Antony invested in acquiring ancient artefacts. Antony's vast collections started with Egyptian antiquities, but soon branched into Greek and Roman civilisations. The Roman civilisation fascinated him most and, when family commitments allowed, archaeological digs were coordinated in the west of England. These digs uncovered numerous artefacts, many of which were donated to local museums. In retirement, the collecting continued apace, branching into UK coins, British Empire banknotes and fossils.