Belt Plates - 2nd century AD - Rectangle with spindle

This belt plate is pictured elsewhere in this gallery.
However, this image shows type of axis or spindle that was often found in the gap-space in this type of belt plate.
Interestingly, the spindles were separate pieces and are often lost.

While the belt plate appears to be made of a copper-colored bronze, the spindle is made of brass / orichalcum. They would therefore have contrasted when new.

This spindle appears to be an unfinished product as some flashing was not trimmed from the side and it has some casting flaws that likely meant it was destined to be put back in the crucible.

The right hand image shows what they would have looked like together.

Mid- to late-2nd century.
(Antonine era, Marcomannic wars.)

References:
Similar rectangular plates with spindles can be seen in D'Amato and Sumner, page 100, from the Archaeological Museum of Constanta Romania on the Black Sea.