Bronze hook from a belt. Culture: Italic, Samnite. Dimensions: length 4 1/2in. (11.4cm). Date: late 5th-early 4th century B.C..Wide bronze belts with several clasps, often in the shape of palmettes, are well known from finds, especially in the regions of Apulia, Lucania, and Daunia, and from representations in Campanian and Lucanian painting. The term Samnite applies to one of the indigenous peoples of Southern Italy whose language was Oscan--thus, for instance, the Oscan warriors on Apulian vases. The belts are connected with warriors and often occur in graves with other military equipment. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.