Roman - Lead Coffin Plate.
Lot No. 530

Circa 3rd century AD. A substantial section of a relief-ornamented lead coffin plate (the ends of the panel trimmed in modern times); the panel divided by ropework lines into diamonds and triangles with a row of small urns along the top border; each diamond containing an eight-spoked ropework star and each triangle a dolphin and four cockle shells; all are traditional funerary symbols, associated with the cult of Dionysus, which promised its initiates an existence beyond the grave, or for the repulsion of malevolent spirits.

Estimate: £300 - 500 (EUR 360 - 600; USD 480 - 790)