Roman Bronze Oil Lamp with Mask Handle

With a dimple to the underside, a square-section body and a wide everted rim with a step to the edge. 81 grams, 93 mm



From a specialist collection of glass, acquired from dealerships during the 1990s.

Well preserved rectangular tablet made of cedar wood with a recessed panel to the inner face, the outer face flat and not inscribed; the second and last tablet of a Roman sales contract; the inner face inscribed in Roman cursive script using ink and calamus, fourteen lines of Roman cursive script written within the recess; two small holes both near the upper and lower rim (for binding the tablets of this document together); the text consists of dispositions regarding the sale of a special category of land (gemiones) and ends with the obligatory stipulatio formula: 'stipulata est Macrinia B., spopondidit Iulius L. – Macrinia B. stipulated, Iulius L. (as the vendor) gave the counter promise'. 44.3 grams, 15.6 x 14.1 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 an illustrated academic report by Professor Dr phil. Peter Rothenhöfer.

Formed as the sole of a sandal with raised edges and a small loop to the rear; underside with remains of a catchplate and a pin. 4.41 grams, 39.8 mm



Ex Manchester collection, 1990s. Accompanied by a previous typed catalogue information card.