Roman / Byzantine Bronze & Brass Bread Stamps (3)

Roman, late Imperial Period to early Byzantine Empire, ca. 4th to 6th century CE. A lovely set of two cast-bronze stamps and one cast-brass stamp used for labeling bread at the local bakery. The smallest stamp is made of brass and features a rectangular body with a concave groove on one end, a dolphin-shaped handle shown in a diving pose, and a trio of small raised letters beneath the body. The second stamp is bronze, does not have a handle, and has five impressed letters on the stamp face. The largest stamp is also made of bronze, features two lines of raised lettering along the stamp face, and has a small ring handle on the verso. All items are covered in fine layers of brown, russet, and green patina. Size of largest (two lines of text): 2.875" W x 1.55" H (7.3 cm x 3.9 cm).

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#146624
Condition Report: Largest stamp has small losses to one corner of stamp face. All items have light abrasions and encrustations. Light earthen deposits as well as great patina throughout.