A Roman Gold Pin, circa 1st/3rd century A.D.

A.E. Martin, London

Alan and Marianne Schwartz, Michigan, acquired from the above on October 3rd, 1967

then by descent to the present owner

It is possible that this pin was related to a votive offering for the cult of Jupiter Dolichenus, a mystery cult of eastern origin that peaked in popularity during the Severan dynasty. Bronze votive hands displaying a similar gesture to the terminal of this pin, with dedicatory inscriptions to the Jupiter Dolichenus, are discussed in depth by Dávid Bartus, “Roman Hairpins Representing Human Hands,” (see https://www.academia.edu/3399281/Roman_hairpins_representing_human_hands_Typology_and_symbolism). For a closely related pin, in silver-gilt rather than gold, see Antiquities from the Collection of Christos G. Bastis, catalogue of the exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1987, no. 188.