Garam Éva szerk.: Between East and West - History of the peoples living in hungarian lands (Guide to the Archaeological Exhibition of the Hungarian National Museum; Budapest, 2005)

HALL 6 - The Roman Age (6 A.D.-420 A.D.) (László Kocsis, Endre Tóth)

79. Detail of the Roman lapidarium and goldsmithing flourished in the late Roman period, when two mints began their activity in southern Pannónia. The 4th century silver chests found along the Sava River were probably made in southern Pannonian workshops. Niello and metal inlay were widespread decorative techniques used by goldsmiths in Pannónia during the 4th century as shown by some exceptionally lovely pieces. The belt recovered from a 4th century grave in Aquincum was decorated with large silver plaques ornamented with geometric patterns inlaid with niello and gold. Coming from the same period as these silver mounts is a rare and most unusual find: a silver augur's staff found in an early 4th century male burial in Brigetio. Staffs of this kind were used by the À augurs to determine the site of a temple and when they were required to foretell events. The twisted staff made from sheet silver is covered with an elaborate niello and gold inlaid pattern. The most magnificent piece of late Roman silverwork from Pannónia came to light in 1878 at Kozárhegy near Polgárdi. The fourlegged, silver folding table is a truly unique find owing to its material and superb craftsmanship in the style of the 4th century. A similar table is only known from the Hildesheim Treasure, dated to the 1st century. The broken and cut-up pieces were first assembled from their fragments and restored in the 1880s. A little more than a century later it was again necessary to restore this magnificent find. It became clear during the conservation and