Loading, please wait...
LOT 0118
Dated Roman Inked Reused Wooden Wax Tablet by Julius Maianus
328 A.D.
5 3/4 x 5 1/8 in. (32 grams, 14.5 x 13 cm).
Well preserved rectangular, probably cedarwood tablet with a groove (sulcus) and inked text to one face, two small holes and remains of wax within the sulcus; five personal signatures of witnesses above the sulcus, the text of the document starts with the date: in the year after the consulate of Flavius Constantius and Valerius Maximus (= AD 328), the following text regards testaments kept by Julius Maianus who is called depositarius, in the following lines the textual style is very short and several times verbs seem to be missing, therefore, the document probably was some kind of report or protocol, we are lacking parallels of similar documents, which makes this tablet unique and important. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired by Albert Sfez in the early 1950s.
Formerly the property of Monsieur Alain Sfez, a Belgium collector; acquired by gift from his father Albert Sfez, in 1965.
Acquired by a London dealer in 1973.
From an important London collection since 1975; thence by descent.
Accompanied by a copy of a four page illustrated academic report by Professor Dr. phil. Peter Rothenhöfer.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12672-230807.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Exhibited at the Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 12th March-9th June 2025; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefacts on display.
LiteratureFor testaments and further documents from the same collection see Rothenhöfer, Peter, and Blänsdorf, Jürgen Sana mente sanaque memoria testamentum feci: Eine testamentarische Verfügung vom 12. April 340 n. Chr., Gephyra 13 (2016), pp.153-163; Rothenhoefer, P. Bemerkungen zum Testament des Pomponius Maximus aus dem Jahr 371 n. Chr. (Notes on the Testament of Pomponius Maximus from the Year AD 371). Zeitschrift der Savigny Stiftung für Rechtsgeschichte (Romanistische Abteilung), 142, 2025, pp.200-232; Rothenhöfer, P., Neue römische Rechtsdokumente aus dem Byzacena-Archiv / New Roman Legal Documents from the Byzacena Archive, (forthcoming); and cf. Rothenhöfer, Peter and Wang, Weixia Flavius Aelius Victorinus praeses provinciae Numidiae, VDI 2025 (forthcoming); Wang, Weixia, Vibius Flavianus, First Governor of the provincia Valeria Byzacena, VDI 2025 (forthcoming).
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0118
Dated Roman Inked Reused Wooden Wax Tablet by Julius Maianus
Sold for (Inc. bp): £8,775
-
Roman Bronze Figure of Seated Harpocrates
1st century A.D.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,350
Modelled in the round sitting with miniature double-crown, serpent arm-ring on left wrist, sidelock; fixing socket to right thigh. 145 grams, 72 mm
Private collection, Me. A., Florida, USA, early 1990s. European private collection, acquired in Germany, September 2000. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12683-234609. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Large Roman Glass Bead
2nd-3rd century AD.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Oblate black bead with dragged trails and applied white bosses to the equator. 41 grams, 35 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Roman Glass Phallic Pendant
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,235
In dark red glass with anatomical detailing, large suspension loop to the rear. 3.52 grams, 31 mm
with Sasu Boscher Encheres, 8 August 2022, no.228. with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
