Roman Blue Glass Bead Necklace String

The third and last tablet of a Roman will made by Iulius Pomp(onius?), parts of lost surface on the inner face, two small holes both at the upper and lower rim (for binding the tablets of this document together); on the inner face the recess inscribed with twenty-one lines of Roman cursive script consisting of testamentary dispositions regarding a special category of fields (gemiones), ending with the mancipatory formula of Roman testaments; on the outer face two sulci and signatures of witnesses. 106 grams, 20.2 x 16.2 cm



Acquired 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 an 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 search certificate number no.12601-230811.

Professor Dr phil. Peter Rothenhöfer writes: 'Without any doubts this tablet is an original document from Roman times. Because only few Roman testaments have survived this document is of great importance both for Roman Legal and Social History'.

Carved in the round, standing on a rectangular base, wearing a floor-length tiered robe with exposed right shoulder and arm; separate left hand extended, holding a patera; right hand gripping the head of a snake wound around the arm; separate head with finely modelled hair bound in a chignon; repaired and restored. 95 kg total, 115.5 cm high



Believed to have been in the collection of George Adolphus Gray (c.1850), captain of a merchant vessel and avid collector. Acquired by the present owner circa 15 years ago, reportedly recovered from a skip. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12967-244537.

Asclepius, son of Apollo and Coronis, was the Graeco-Roman god of medicine, healing and prophecy. He had two daughters with Epione, the goddess of soothing - Hygeia (goddess of health) and Panacea (goddess of healing).

Discoid with a thirteen-pointed red star with thirteen pellets within, blue enamelled background; pin-lugs and catchplate on the reverse. 3.68 grams, 23 mm



Found Norfolk, UK. From a Kent collection formed in the 1990s.