Roman Pugio Sheath Mount

Late 1st-2nd century A.D. A copper-alloy sheath mount belonging to a dagger (pugio) of type II, composed of a plaque divided into six decorated sections, the upper and the third representing a goddess’s head enclosed in a tondo, surrounded by foliage, the second and the fourth representing a flower enclosed inside a trapezoidal pattern with plants in all four corners, the last two sections ornamented by tripartite foliage with sinusoid pattern at the base; the edge decorated with dots, the first and the third section fitted with extension at the sides, having four holes for fastening to the wooden core; traces of niello on the leaves; mounted on a custom-made display stand. Cf. Feugère, M., Weapons of the Romans, London, 2007, pp.126-128; Casprini, F., Saliola, M., Pugio gladius brevis est, storia e tecnologia del pugnale da guerra romano, Roma, 2012, fig.F40, for the type (from Vindonissa). 290 grams total, 25 cm high including stand (9 7/8 in). UK private collections, 1990s. Property of a Sussex, UK, teacher. The decorative sheath seems to be of the type “A3” according to Casprini and Saliola, decorated with incisions in brass and silver without the use of enamels. The absence of the latter is their specific characteristic, although they do share symbolism with ‘type B’ sheaths which can be mainly identified by temples, palms, diamonds inside squares. They can be dated to Nero’s reign and possibly to the later Flavian Age. The decoration is unusual and in some aspect recalls the one of the Hercules sheath published by M. Feugère (p.127) and originally sketched by R. Forrer. Fine condition, repaired.