Ancient Roman lapis lazuli brooch. Set with a rectangular plaque of lapis lazuli in a closed back collet setting, to a finely modelled brooch, with circular punched detailing and pelleted border highlights, fitted to reverse with a secure hinged pin and catch plate in full working order, approximately 5.4cm in length. Tested 23 carat yellow gold, approximately 15.8g in weight, circa 2nd century AD.
This brooch is a particularly fine example of Roman craftsmanship. It is likely that the lapis lazuli set in this brooch would have come from the mines in Afghanistan.
