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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).
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0118
Dated Roman Inked Reused Wooden Wax Tablet by Julius Maianus
Sold for (Inc. bp): £8,775
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Roman Black Glass Bangle
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Round in section with iridescent surface. 11.04 grams, 57 mm
Acquired before 1983. Ex London gallery, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
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Roman Life-Size Marble Statue of an Important Magistrate
Late 3rd-early 4th century A.D.Estimate: £180,000 - 240,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100,000
Clad in a symmetrically incised late Roman toga, which was originally painted; the right hand covered by the robe and resting against his chest, the now lost left hand probably held a rank symbol or a scroll; short hair, cut according to the style of the Tetrarchy, wide eyes and pronounced lips; beard extended under the chin and on the throat; crepida sandal of Greek typology still visible on the right foot. 700+ kg, 206 cm including base
Fine condition. An impressive museum-quality display piece.
Acquired by L.H., Munich, Germany, prior to 1982. with H.v.C., Munich, Germany, in 1982, forming a central part of their family collection during the 1980s. Thence by descent to his son, C.M., Switzerland. Accompanied by a copy of a German cultural export licence. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. Accompanied by a geological report No. TL3253 by geology consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12089-211955. 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.
This statue of a Roman magistrate represents a high-ranking citizen with political and ritual responsibilities. The stylised facial features date it to the period of the Tetrachy under the Emperor Diocletian (284-305 A.D.), when representation of the human form began to show a concern for geometry and symmetry. A similar style can be seen in official portraits of Diocletian, Galerius, Constantinus Chlorus, and Maximianus Herculius. Despite the stylisation typical of the era, however, the sculptor of this lot has taken pains to add personal details, such as the dimpled chin and creased forehead. Its powerful resemblance to Imperial portraiture stems from the desire of magistrates to emulate emperors in the way they represented themselves. This is a piece of outstanding quality, and unlike other Late Roman sculptures, in which a portrait head is often attached to an earlier body, it appears to have been created as a whole. It shows exceptional attention to detail, including in the magistrate’s beautifully carved footwear. It is likely to represent an official of an Eastern Empire city, either in Greece or Illyria. -
Roman Bronze Aromatic Box in the Shape of a Clam Shell
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Rounded container with hinged lid and holes on the upper face, ribbed surfaces to imitate the natural surfaces of a clam. 6.76 grams, 21 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.
