Roman Phalera Pendant

Roman pendant in the form of an openwork phalera.

This large, openwork Roman pendant is based on a Roman pelta shaped harness fitting from the 3rd century AD.

The historical model for this Roman pendant is a 13 cm fitting from a private collection, which was once used as a decorative disc on a Roman horse harness. It comes from the Roman province of Pannonia, today's western Austria, and dates back to the 3rd century AD.

The Roman pendant shows a so-called pelta motif in a filigree and complex openwork technique, and has a small swastika in the centre.
Pelta-shaped fittings were particularly popular in the Roman Empire in a military context, as evidenced by numerous finds from the Germanic provinces. Numerous belt fittings, brooches and pendants in the shape of a pelta have been found here.

The Roman pelta ornamentation takes its name from a Greek term for a light, crescent-shaped shield used in ancient Greece by the so-called peltasts, lightly armed skirmishers equipped with short spears.

Link to the historical original…

The Roman pendant has a diameter of 4 cm..

You can buy the pelta pendant in high-quality bronze or genuine silver-plated.
Alternatively, you can also order it in 925 sterling silver (please note delivery time).
Alloy...

A 1 metre long black leather strap is included with the pelta pendant.

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The term phalera is often used generically to refer to ancient decorative discs, especially in an archaeological context. The phalera was an ancient decorative and honorary insignia used in Roman antiquity. Roman legionaries received them like medals as a reward for courage and bravery or outstanding achievements.

Roman phalerae could be made of bronze, silver and even gold and were attached to a legionnaire's breastplate or armour and even to Roman horse harnesses, where they served as decorative elements attached to bridles and saddles.