4th century AD. A slightly irregular obsidian sphere with small and widespread bubbles inside, a portion of the surface shows flattening, probably corresponding to the point of contact with the underlying metal part of the shaft over which it was positioned. See Panella, C., I segni del potere, realta’ e immaginario della sovranita’ nella Roma Imperiale, Bari, 2011.1.1 kg, 95mm (3 3/4"). Property of an Austrian private collector since the 1970s; accompanied by a copy of the collector's catalogue page and an archaeological report by Dr. Raffaele D’Amato and by a scholarly note TL5350 by Dr Ronald Bonewitz; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10419-171487. A primary symbol of universal Imperial power was the sceptre, the spear and the standard. One of the most interesting archaeological discoveries of recent years is a series of objects which belonged to a Roman emperor – possibly Maxentius – found near the Meta Sudans, on the northern hill side of the Palatine, in front of the Colosseum, stored in poplar cases. It consisted of three elements of Imperial sceptres, a chalcedony sphere, four spearheads and three pike-spears. The Italian archaeologists had linked these finds with the insignia hidden by the Praetorians of Maxentius just before or after the defeat of Milvian Bridge. Fine condition. Excessively rare.