Lot of 2 Roman / Byzantine Bronze Bread Stamps

**Originally Listed At $1000**

Roman, late Imperial Period to early Byzantine Empire, ca. 4th to 7th century CE. A fine set of two cast-bronze bread stamps, each with a small ring handle on the verso. The smaller stamp is shaped like an "L" with a pronounced right angle as well as seven raised letters to denote the owner of the bread. The larger stamp is of a rough shoe form, with one lobed end and one tapered to a rounded point, and featuring five raised letters along the stamp face. Both stamps are enveloped in fine layers of matte green, brown, and russet patina. Size of largest (phallic): 3.625" W x 1.15" H (9.2 cm x 2.9 cm).

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-George & Janet Zakos collection, Switzerland, acquired in the 1970s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#146625
Condition Report: Handle of smaller stamp reattached, and larger stamp repaired from two large pieces. Both items have minor abrasions and light encrustations. Nice earthen deposits as well as fabulous green, brown, and russet patina throughout.