Roman Bronze Artefact Group

Composed of mixed graduated beads with larger beads as a central feature; restrung. 19.3 grams, 40.5 cm



From the London, UK, art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

In the Roman period there was a strong formal and chromatic diversity of glass beads used for necklaces and bracelets. The most common beads in forms were small biconical (lenticular), barrel-shaped, spherical and annular; the most common colours were dark blue, followed by green and yellow. The succession of glass beads often imitates jewellery made of costly materials (gold, silver, semi-precious and precious stones).

Well preserved rectangular tablet inscribed in Roman cursive script on one side, the text documents legal acts in the context of a wedding: first a counter-promise concerning the dowry between the father of the bride together with the bride, Donatilla, on the one hand and the groom on the other; then a gift from the bride's mother to her daughter, a 6 year old young slave girl, the transfer taking the form of a mancipatio with Iulius Rogatianus as scale holder (libripens) and with the involvement of witnesses. 86 grams, 24.5 x 14.2 cm



Acquired by Albert Sfez in the early 1950s. Formerly the property of Monsieur Alain Sfez, a Belgian 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 three page illustrated academic report by Professor Dr phil. Peter Rothenhöfer. Accompanied by a collection of four old black and white photographs of the the tablet. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12600-230808. 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.

Professor Dr phil. Peter Rothenhöfer writes: 'Without any doubts this tablet is an original document from Roman times. This unique document not only reflects legal practice in the Roman Empire, but is also of great importance for Social History.'

Comprising: P-shaped bow brooch with reserved leaf design on gilt plaque; 'keyhole' type rosette brooch with central coral inlay to th stud. 11.2 grams total, 36-43 mm



Found Lincolnshire, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.