A ROMAN BRONZE PELTA FROM A MILITARY GLADIUS SCABBARD

Circa 200-300 AD. Bronze scabbard chape (or bottom) with pelta-shaped body surmounted by a stylised budding flower motif. Chapes serve to reinforce leather or fabric scabbards to prevent the point of a blade from cutting through. The Roman gladius was the short sword used by soldiers under the Roman Empire, which primarily allowed for stabbing attacks while fighting in closed rank formation.Size: L:58mm / W:60mm ; 30gProvenance: Private UK collection; From an old London collection formed in the 1990s.